approximately
gb/əpɹˈɑksəmɪtli/ us/əpɹˈɑksəmɪtli/
B1
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
Close to an exact number or amount
Almost correct in number, size, or time; not exact.
Usage pattern:
approximately [number/amount/time]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'approximately' with 'probably'; 'probably' expresses likelihood, not closeness to an exact value.
Synonyms
about (More informal and common in everyday speech.)
|
roughly (Slightly more casual and can sound less precise.)
Antonyms
exactly (Indicates complete accuracy with no approximation.)
Collocations
approximately equal to
|approximately the same
|approximately 10 percent
|approximately 5 miles
|approximately one hour
Themes
measurement
|math
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The journey takes approximately two hours by car.
- The building is approximately 50 years old.
- There were approximately 200 people at the concert.
- The cost will be approximately $500.
- The town is approximately 30 miles from the city.
Learner examples
- The trip takes approximately one hour.
- This box weighs approximately 10 kilos.
- The meeting will last approximately 30 minutes.
- He is approximately 180 centimeters tall.
- The store is approximately five minutes away.
Grammar
Dictionary form
approximately
IPA
GB/əpɹˈɑksəmɪtli/
US/əpɹˈɑksəmɪtli/
Syllables & stress
ap - prox - im - ately (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (prox)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: approximately
- Plural: approximatelies
Word family
Forms
approximatelies
noun
Core family
approximate
adjective B1
approximation
noun B2
Expressions
approximately equal to
1/əpɹˈɑksəmɪtli ˈikwəl tə/
fixed phrase
technical
Nearly the same in value
Almost the same in amount, number, or value as something else.
Examples
- In this equation, x is approximately equal to 3.14.
- The two towns are approximately equal to each other in size.
approximately the same
1/əpɹˈɑksəmɪtli ðə sˈeɪm/
fixed phrase
Almost identical in some quality or measure
Almost the same in size, amount, or quality.
Examples
- The twins are approximately the same height.
- Our sales this year are approximately the same as last year.