proximate

American  

[prok-suh-mit] / ˈprɒk sə mɪt /

adjective

1. next; nearest; immediately before or after in order, place, occurrence, etc.

2. close; very near.

3. approximate; fairly accurate.

4. forthcoming; imminent.

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proximate British  

/ ˈprɒksɪmɪt /

adjective

1. next or nearest in space or time

2. very near; close

3. immediately preceding or following in a series

4. a less common word for approximate

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Other Word Forms

• proximately adverb
• proximateness noun
• proximation noun

Etymology

Origin of proximate

1590–1600; < Late Latin proximātus, past participle of proximāre to near, approach. See proximal, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

“Their failure was a cause-in-fact and proximate cause of the accident,” the department’s lawyers wrote.

From The Wall Street Journal

In each case, what might have otherwise been viewed as a minor offense was taken seriously because the actors were proximate to those in power.

From The Wall Street Journal

Nevertheless, some of his more proximate misdeeds are effectively used to make clear that Mantel's antihero is, in the denouement of his life, fully alert to his sinful state.

From Salon

The damage “was proximately and substantially caused by the actions of Defendants ... and each of them ... caused Plaintiffs’ damages,” the complaint said.

From Los Angeles Times

The proximate cause of the breakup was the granting of a preliminary injunction against the deal by U.S.

From Los Angeles Times