approximate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to neutral; common in academic, technical, and professional contexts.
Quick answer
What does “approximate” mean?
Close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact.
To come close to in quality, quantity, or value; to estimate or calculate something with reasonable accuracy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. The verb form is slightly more common in American technical writing.
Connotations
Neutral in both, implying a deliberate or accepted margin of error.
Frequency
Higher frequency in academic/technical registers in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “approximate” in a Sentence
[approximate + noun] (adj)[approximate + to + noun] (v)[noun + approximate + to + noun] (v)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “approximate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The model's behaviour approximates to that of the real system.
- We can only approximate the total expenditure at this stage.
- His accent approximates a London dialect.
American English
- The simulation approximates real-world conditions.
- Can you approximate how many people attended?
- The software update approximates the functionality of the premium version.
adverb
British English
- The journey will take approximately three hours.
- The device costs approximately £200.
- The two solutions are approximately equivalent.
American English
- The project will take approximately six months.
- The room is approximately 12 feet by 15 feet.
- Approximately 50 people responded to the invitation.
adjective
British English
- Please give me an approximate time for your arrival.
- The approximate distance to the coast is twenty miles.
- These are just the approximate figures from the survey.
American English
- What's the approximate cost of the repair?
- We have an approximate location for the meeting.
- The approximate weight of the package is five kilograms.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used for forecasting, budgeting, and project planning where exact figures are unavailable.
Academic
Common in scientific and mathematical writing to describe results, measurements, and models.
Everyday
Used when giving directions, time estimates, or describing quantities informally.
Technical
Essential in engineering, computing, and statistics to describe algorithms, tolerances, and simulations.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “approximate”
- Using 'approximative' (non-standard) instead of 'approximate' as the adjective.
- Confusing 'approximate' (adj/v) with 'proximate' (adj, meaning very near in space/time).
- Incorrect stress: placing stress on the first syllable (/ˈæprəksɪmət/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is very rare and non-standard in modern English. Always use 'approximate' as the adjective.
'Approximate' is more formal and often implies a deliberate, reasoned estimate. 'Rough' is more informal and can imply a quicker, less careful guess.
It is redundant (e.g., 'approximately about 100'). Use either 'approximately 100' or 'about 100'.
The adjective ends with the sound /ət/ (like 'it'). The verb ends with /eɪt/ (like 'ate'). This distinction is maintained in both British and American English.
Close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact.
Approximate is usually formal to neutral; common in academic, technical, and professional contexts. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In the approximate vicinity of”
- “A ballpark approximate”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'APPROXIMATE' as 'APPROACH' + 'INTIMATE' – it intimately approaches the real value.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEARNESS IS APPROXIMATION (e.g., 'close guess', 'in the vicinity of the truth').
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'approximate' used correctly as a verb?