approximate

[ adjective uh-prok-suh-mit; verb uh-prok-suh-meyt ]

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.

verb (used with object)

, ap·prox·i·mat·ed, ap·prox·i·mat·ing.

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)

, ap·prox·i·mat·ed, ap·prox·i·mat·ing.

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

approximate

adjective

1. almost accurate or exact
2. inexact; rough; loose

   only an approximate fit

3. much alike; almost the same
4. near; close together

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

Derived Forms

• apˈproximative, adjective

Other Words From

• ap·proxi·mate·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of approximate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of approximate¹

C15: from Late Latin approximāre, from Latin proximus nearest, from prope near

Example Sentences

Though she worked hard to approximate Marley’s manner of speaking and vocal qualities, in researching Marley and spending time with her, Lynch zeroed in the effect Marley had on those around her and how powerfully she could communicate nonverbally.

From Los Angeles Times

The BBC compared the approximate earnings reported by some of these X users with the amount they would be expected to earn, based on their number of views, followers and interactions with other profiles, and found them to be credible.

From BBC

The prime minister is expected to declare corporate tickets to games he attends as a benefit in kind in his MP's register, with an approximate value given.

From BBC

But her origins in Patna, her approximate date of birth and the prefix “Kosi” all point to the same conclusion: Monica is, in all probability, one of the five babies rescued by Anila and the midwives.

From BBC

This makes an approximate 11% difference between the conferences’ third-day viewership.

From Salon