approximate

[uh-prok-suh-mit, uh-prok-suh-meyt]

adjective

1. near or approaching a certain state, condition, goal, or standard.

2. nearly exact; not perfectly accurate or correct.

   The approximate time was 10 o'clock.

3. near; close together.

4. very similar; nearly identical.

verb (used with object)

approximated, approximating 

1. to come near to; approach closely to.

   to approximate an ideal.

2. to estimate.

   We approximated the distance at three miles.

3. to simulate; imitate closely.

   The motions of the stars can be approximated in a planetarium.

4. to bring near.

verb (used without object)

approximated, approximating 

1. to come near in position, character, amount, etc.

approximate

adjective

1. almost accurate or exact

2. inexact; rough; loose

   only an approximate fit

3. much alike; almost the same

4. near; close together

verb

1. (usually foll by to) to come or bring near or close; be almost the same (as)

2. maths to find an expression for (some quantity) accurate to a specified degree See accurate

Other Word Forms

• approximative adjective
• approximately adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of approximate¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin approximātus drawn near to, approached (past participle of approximāre ). See ap- ¹, proximate

Word History and Origins

Origin of approximate¹

C15: from Late Latin approximāre, from Latin proximus nearest, from prope near

Example Sentences

Fictionalized versions of real-world scenarios are never going to be as accurate as the true experience, but the show’s 1990 version of a platoon better approximates the Marines’ professed ideal.

Read more on Salon

Ghost’s exact age is unknown, but based on her weight and size “we can approximate she is in that age range,” the aquarium said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Chevening scholars like Mahmoud – recipients of a highly competitive UK Foreign Office grant – have been asked to confirm whether they want to be evacuated and provide their approximate location in Gaza.

Read more on BBC

Whitchurch Road Surgery in the Heath area of the city currently has about 80 appointments a day for the approximate 8,000 patients on their list and have an estimated four-week wait for routine appointments.

Read more on BBC

About two weeks ago, the state wildlife department announced the release of an online map that shows the approximate location of GPS-collard wolves.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• estimated www.thesaurus.com