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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have approximated
  perfect
• has approximated
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are approximating
  progressive
• is approximating
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been approximating
  perfect progressive
• approximates
  singular 3rd person
• approximating
  participle
• has been approximating
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• am approximating
  progressive 1st person singular

Past

• had approximated
  perfect
• were approximating
  progressive plural
• approximated
  participle
• had been approximating
  perfect progressive
• was approximating
  progressive singular
• approximated
  simple

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

When the team modified their simulations to approximate the effects of clouds, the results aligned more closely with the observations.

From Science Daily • Jun. 11, 2026

The government taking an approximate 10% stake is an additional signal of long-term confidence in Intel’s role within domestic semiconductor manufacturing.

From Barron's • Apr. 24, 2026

That’s the approximate weight of a Ford F-150, the most popular car in the U.S., depending on the specifications—roughly double the weight of the Dacia Sandero, Europe’s best-selling car.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

I can only present the challenges and make approximate financial estimates, none of which are guaranteed.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Imitating this sound on a small gong or drumhead will approximate the type of play with timbre that is required.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin

Related Words

• estimated