approximate

American  

[uh-prok-suh-mit, uh-prok-suh-meyt] / əˈprɒk sə mɪt, əˈprɒk səˌmeɪt /

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.

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verb (used with object)

approximates, present (3rd person singular) approximated, past participle, past approximating present participle

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)

approximates, present (3rd person singular) approximated, past participle, past approximating present participle

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

approximate British  

adjective

1. almost accurate or exact

2. inexact; rough; loose

   only an approximate fit

3. much alike; almost the same

4. near; close together

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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

Derived Forms

• approximative
  adjective
• approximately
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Participles

• approximating
  present
• approximated
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• approximate
  simple
• approximates
  simple
• have approximated
  perfect
• has approximated
  perfect
• am approximating
  progressive
• are approximating
  progressive
• is approximating
  progressive
• have been approximating
  perfect progressive
• has been approximating
  perfect progressive

Past

• approximated
  simple
• had approximated
  perfect
• was approximating
  progressive
• were approximating
  progressive
• had been approximating
  perfect progressive

Future

• will approximate
  simple
• will have approximated
  perfect
• will be approximating
  progressive
• will have been approximating
  perfect progressive

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.

Example Sentences

Alphabet will replace Verizon in the Dow, increasing the index’s technology exposure with an approximate 4.0% weighting.

From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026

“So I went in the studio and did it trying to sound like that guy,” Manilow recalled, stomping his foot to approximate a lumbering rock beat.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026

Crockett likens that to the approximate weight of a baseball, “which is seen as maybe a nonstarter for mass appeal.”

From MarketWatch • Jun. 17, 2026

However, the BCS theory -- named after its creators -- provides only an approximate description.

From Science Daily • Apr. 27, 2026

With Fly’s footage and Guardian’s help, I am able to approximate the location of Courage.

From "A Rover's Story" by Jasmine Warga

Related Words

• estimated