approximate
Americanadjective
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near or approaching a certain state, condition, goal, or standard.
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nearly exact; not perfectly accurate or correct.
The approximate time was 10 o'clock.
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near; close together.
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very similar; nearly identical.
verb (used with object)
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to come near to; approach closely to.
to approximate an ideal.
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to estimate.
We approximated the distance at three miles.
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to simulate; imitate closely.
The motions of the stars can be approximated in a planetarium.
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to bring near.
verb (used without object)
adjective
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almost accurate or exact
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inexact; rough; loose
only an approximate fit
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much alike; almost the same
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near; close together
verb
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(usually foll by to) to come or bring near or close; be almost the same (as)
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maths to find an expression for (some quantity) accurate to a specified degree See accurate
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of approximate
1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin approximātus drawn near to, approached (past participle of approximāre ). See ap- 1, proximate
Explanation
To approximate is to calculate the value of something based on informed knowledge. A computer program can approximate the value of a house based on square footage, number of rooms, year built, and other relevant factors. As a verb, approximate means "to estimate." Unlike the word guess, approximate implies the use of a logical or mathematical method. You might guess how tall a friend is based on the first number that comes to mind, but you could approximate his height by using your own height as a comparison. As an adjective, approximate can mean "near" or "close together." If your friend calls to say he’s at a location approximate to your house, she’s in your neighborhood.
Vocabulary lists containing approximate
Tier 2 Words for the SBAC ELA Items
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Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
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Academic Vocabulary: Core Tier 2 Words, List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Via PFR’s Weight Career Approximate Value rating, the best player taken fifth is Junior Seau, a linebacker drafted there in 1990 by the Chargers out of USC, who played 20 seasons in the NFL.
From Seattle Times • Apr. 24, 2023
The analysis relies on Pro Football Reference’s Approximate Value metric, an imperfect but useful measure of a player’s contribution to a team’s success.
From New York Times • Apr. 28, 2022
Approximate territories took shape, with groups for the Upper West Side, Astoria, and lower Manhattan.
From The Verge • Sep. 13, 2021
Among Hall of Famers with at least 10,000 rushing yards, only Jerome Bettis has a lower Approximate Value score per 16 games than Gore.
From Washington Post • Nov. 24, 2019
Approximate deposition-potentials have been determined for a number of the metallic elements, and also for hydrogen and some of the acid-forming radicals.
From An Introductory Course of Quantitative Chemical Analysis With Explanatory Notes by Talbot, Henry P.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
