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

Hegseth on Thursday indirectly confirmed the approximate value of the Pentagon's request for additional funding, saying: "As far as $200 billion, I think that number could move."

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

Interactions are then added as small corrections, allowing researchers to approximate how large numbers of particles affect each other.

From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026

Using what Mr. Pielke called an approximate “fuzzy match” raised the similarity to 47.8%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

Stout and slightly gruff, Dipper has a digital face that can approximate more than 40 expressions.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

When the Leeps’ shouting reached the same approximate decibel level as a B-52, Beatrice lowered her stepbrother out a bathroom window.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen

Related Words

• estimated