approximation
gb/əpɹˌɑksəmˈeɪʃən/ us/əpɹˌɑksəmˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
becslés, hozzávetőleges adat, utánzat, közelítő ábrázolás, közelítés, approximáció
NOUN
B2
1
becslés
B1
Usage pattern:
an approximation of [a number/amount/value]; an approximation to [something]; a rough/close approximation
The figure of 10,000 is only an approximation, not an official count.
A 10 000-es szám csak hozzávetőleges adat, nem hivatalos szám.
Can you give me a rough approximation of the total cost?
Tudsz adni egy durva becslést a teljes költségről?
These measurements are approximations because the equipment is not perfectly accurate.
Learner examples
This price is just an approximation.
Ez az ár csak becslés.
I need an approximation of the distance.
Szükségem van a távolság hozzávetőleges becslésére.
Common mistake:
Use approximation of or approximation to, not usually approximation about. Do not use it when you need an exact value.
Meaning
Close but inexact estimate
Collocations
rough approximation
|close approximation
|good approximation
|reasonable approximation
|crude approximation
|fair approximation
|initial approximation
|best approximation
|accurate approximation
|approximation of the cost
Synonyms
estimate (more common and general; often about numbers or amounts)
|
rough estimate (emphasizes that the value is not very precise)
|
ballpark figure (informal; mainly for approximate numbers, costs, or amounts)
Antonyms
exact value (the precise value rather than a near one)
|
precise figure (a specific and accurate number)
Themes
measurement
|math
|business
|planning
Definition
a value or answer that is almost right, but not exact
a number, amount, calculation, or statement that is close to the correct one but not exact
NOUN
C1
2
utánzat
B2
Usage pattern:
an approximation of/to [something]; a close/good/poor approximation
The vegan cheese is a decent approximation of the real thing.
A vegán sajt egész jó utánzata az igazinak.
The movie offers only a loose approximation of the novel's complex plot.
A film a regény bonyolult cselekményének csak laza, közelítő ábrázolását adja.
Her accent was a close approximation to British English, but not perfect.
Learner examples
The drawing is an approximation of the building.
A rajz az épület közelítő ábrázolása.
This sauce is a good approximation of the original.
Ez a szósz jó utánzata az eredetinek.
Common mistake:
This meaning is about similarity, not necessarily about calculating a number.
Meaning
Similar but not exact version
Collocations
close approximation
|good approximation
|fair approximation
|poor approximation
|rough approximation
|loose approximation
|visual approximation
|reasonable approximation
|approximation of reality
|approximation to the original
Synonyms
imitation (suggests copying and may imply something less authentic)
|
likeness (emphasizes general or visual similarity)
|
substitute (something used in place of the real thing)
|
version (a neutral word for a particular form of something)
Antonyms
original (the real thing rather than a similar replacement)
|
exact match (something that is completely the same in the relevant way)
Themes
comparison
|art
|food
|communication
Definition
something that is like another thing, but not exactly the same
something that resembles another thing but is not exactly the same or not completely accurate
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
közelítés
B2
approximáció
C1
Usage pattern:
[adjective] approximation; approximation to/of [a function/model]; approximation method
The model uses a linear approximation to predict demand over a small range.
A modell lineáris közelítést használ a kereslet előrejelzésére egy kis tartományban.
Numerical approximations are often the only practical way to solve the equation.
A numerikus közelítések gyakran az egyetlen gyakorlati módot jelentik az egyenlet megoldására.
The small-angle approximation works well when the angle is very small.
Learner examples
We used an approximation because the exact answer was too hard.
Közelítést használtunk, mert a pontos válasz túl nehéz volt.
The approximation was close to the true value.
A közelítés közel esett a valódi értékhez.
Common mistake:
In technical writing, an approximation is often a deliberate method, not a careless guess.
Meaning
Simplified mathematical substitute
Collocations
linear approximation
|numerical approximation
|polynomial approximation
|asymptotic approximation
|Gaussian approximation
|small-angle approximation
|approximation method
|approximation algorithm
|approximation error
|approximation theorem
Synonyms
simplification (emphasizes making a problem or model less complex)
|
model (a representation used to explain or predict something)
|
estimate (less technical and usually focused on a value)
Antonyms
exact solution (a complete solution with no approximation)
|
exact calculation (a calculation that gives the precise result)
|
closed-form solution (technical; an exact expression using standard mathematical operations)
Themes
mathematics
|science
|computing
|engineering
Definition
in math or science, a simpler answer or model used because the exact one is difficult or unnecessary
in mathematics, science, or computing, a simplified value, function, model, or method used instead of an exact one, usually to make calculation or analysis possible or easier
Grammar
Dictionary form
approximation
IPA
GB/əpɹˌɑksəmˈeɪʃən/
US/əpɹˌɑksəmˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
ap - prox - im - a - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (a)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: approximation
- Plural: approximation, approximations
Expressions
successive approximations
1/səksˈɛsɪv əpɹˌɑksəmˈeɪʃənz/
fixed phrase
technical
Repeatedly improved estimates
a series of tries, with each one getting closer to the right answer or result
Examples
- The software solves the equation by successive approximations.
- Children often learn complex skills through successive approximations.
- The method of successive approximations produced a stable estimate after ten iterations.
Learner examples
- We found the answer by successive approximations.
to a first approximation
1/tə ə fˈɚst əpɹˌɑksəmˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
Rough initial simplification
roughly speaking, if we ignore the details
Examples
- To a first approximation, the two systems behave the same way.
- To a first approximation, income rose at the same rate as prices.
- To a first approximation, the shape can be treated as a sphere.
Learner examples
- To a first approximation, the plan will cost $1 million.