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)

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 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

• approximately adverb
• approximative adjective

Etymology

Origin of approximate

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

Example Sentences

“Bitcoin is within an approximate horizontal trend … assessed as technically neutral,” signifying unlikely massive moves ahead, according to investing platform Investtech’s analysis of technical indicators.

From Barron's

At $105 billion, the EU’s new loan would be a short-term boost, the approximate equivalent of Germany’s expected military spending for next year.

From The Wall Street Journal

We camped at Trail Camp, which has an approximate altitude of 12,000 feet.

From Los Angeles Times

The engines will have an approximate 50-50 split in power produced by the internal combustion engine and the electrical system, up from about 20% electrical this year.

From BBC

"Following the tests carried out, a conservative treatment has been chosen. The approximate recovery time is one month."

From Barron's

Related Words

• estimated