approximate
gb/əpɹˈɑksəmɪt/ us/əpɹˈɑksəmɪt/
B1
English
~ 8100
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
almost but not completely exact
Almost correct, but not exactly right in number, size, time, or shape.
Usage pattern:
an approximate [number/amount/time/position]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse the adjective "approximate" with the adverb "approximately". Use "approximate" before a noun (e.g., "an approximate price"), and "approximately" before a number or after a verb (e.g., "It costs approximately $50"). Many learners also overuse "about" and "around" in formal writing where "approximate" or "approximately" would sound more natural.
Synonyms
rough (More informal; often suggests a quick guess without much detail.)
|
estimated (Highlights that a calculation or guess has been made; slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
exact (Stresses that there is no difference at all between the value and reality.)
|
precise (Emphasizes a very high level of accuracy and detail.)
Collocations
approximate cost
|approximate value
|approximate number
|approximate time
|approximate location
|approximate size
Themes
daily_life
|math
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The approximate cost of the repairs is $800.
- We can give you an approximate time of arrival, but not an exact one.
- These are only approximate figures until the final report is ready.
- The map shows the approximate location of the campsite.
- The room has an approximate area of 20 square meters.
Learner examples
- The approximate price of the phone is $300.
- He gave me an approximate date for the meeting.
- This chart shows the approximate number of students in each class.
- I only know the approximate distance to the city.
- We will arrive at the approximate time of 6 p.m.
Verb
B2
action
2
to estimate roughly or closely
To give a number or amount that is almost right, but not exact.
Usage pattern:
to approximate [a number/amount/value]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"make an approximate"* as a verb. Instead, use "approximate" as the verb (e.g., "We approximated the cost"), or use the noun "an approximation" ("We made an approximation"). Another mistake is using "approximate" without an object in this sense; for estimating, it normally takes a direct object such as "the cost" or "the number".
Synonyms
estimate (Most common everyday word; can be based on guesswork or calculation.)
|
calculate (Suggests using numbers or a method, and may imply more precision than "approximate".)
Antonyms
determine (Implies finding the exact or fully correct value, not just a near one.)
|
pinpoint (Stresses finding an exact position or amount, not an approximate one.)
Collocations
approximate the cost
|approximate the value
|approximate the total
|approximate the distance
|approximate a result
|approximate a figure
Themes
math
|science
|business
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We can approximate the total cost by looking at last year’s bills.
- The engineer approximated the curve with a straight line to simplify the model.
- To save time, the researchers approximated the distance at ten kilometers.
- Accountants approximated the company’s value at two million dollars.
- If you don’t know the exact number, try to approximate it as best you can.
Learner examples
- The teacher asked us to approximate the number of people in the room.
- We approximated the cost of the trip at $500.
- I tried to approximate the distance from my house to the station.
- Scientists approximated the age of the rock.
- Can you approximate how long the test will take?
Verb
formal
C1
state
3
to be nearly the same as
To be almost the same as something else in level, quality, or shape.
Usage pattern:
to approximate [something] / to approximate to [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this "be similar" sense with the "estimate" sense and use the wrong structure. For similarity, "approximate" is often followed by "to" or a direct object meaning the thing it is similar to (e.g., "The model approximates reality" or "The design approximates to a circle"). Using it with numbers to mean "guess" (e.g., *"The design approximates the cost"*) is incorrect.
Synonyms
resemble (Focuses on being similar in appearance or general character.)
|
approach (Often used for levels or standards being nearly reached.)
Antonyms
differ from (Emphasizes being not the same as something in a noticeable way.)
|
contrast with (Highlights clear and often strong differences rather than similarity.)
Collocations
closely approximate
|approximate to
|approximate reality
|approximate a circle
|approximate the truth
|approximate a native level
Themes
science
|math
|academic
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The model’s predictions closely approximate the real-world data.
- His income now approximates that of a senior manager.
- The shape of the island approximates a perfect circle.
- Her fluency in Spanish approximates that of a native speaker.
- The new system approximates to the old one but is easier to use.
Learner examples
- This number only approximates the real value.
- Her English level approximates that of a native speaker.
- The drawing approximates a square shape.
- Their results approximate the results of earlier studies.
- The plan approximates to what we did last year.
Grammar
Dictionary form
approximate
IPA
GB/əpɹˈɑksəmɪt/
US/əpɹˈɑksəmɪt/
Syllables & stress
ap - prox - im - ate (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (prox)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: approximate
Verb
- Base: approximate
- 3rd Person Singular: approximates
- Present Participle: approximating
- Past: approximated
Word family
Forms
approximates
verb
approximating
verb
approximated
verb
Core family
approximately
adverb B1
approximation
noun B2
Expressions
approximate to
1/əpɹˈɑksəmˌeɪt tə/
phrasal verb
formal
to be nearly equal or similar
To be almost the same as something else in amount, quality, or form.
Examples
- In this model, the results approximate to the values found in real experiments.
- Her monthly pay now approximates to the national average.
- The shape of the lake approximately to a triangle when seen from above.