approximation
gb/əpɹˌɑksəmˈeɪʃən/ us/əpɹˌɑksəmˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
abstract
1
Close but inexact estimate
a value or answer that is almost right, but not exact
Usage pattern:
an approximation of [a number/amount/value]; an approximation to [something]; a rough/close approximation
Common mistake:
Use approximation of or approximation to, not usually approximation about. Do not use it when you need an exact value.
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)
Collocations
rough approximation
|close approximation
|good approximation
|reasonable approximation
|crude approximation
|fair approximation
|initial approximation
|best approximation
|accurate approximation
|approximation of the cost
Themes
measurement
|math
|business
|planning
Examples
- The figure of 10,000 is only an approximation, not an official count.
- Can you give me a rough approximation of the total cost?
- These measurements are approximations because the equipment is not perfectly accurate.
Learner examples
- This price is just an approximation.
- I need an approximation of the distance.
Noun
C1
entity
2
Similar but not exact version
something that is like another thing, but not exactly the same
Usage pattern:
an approximation of/to [something]; a close/good/poor approximation
Common mistake:
This meaning is about similarity, not necessarily about calculating a number.
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)
Collocations
close approximation
|good approximation
|fair approximation
|poor approximation
|rough approximation
|loose approximation
|visual approximation
|reasonable approximation
|approximation of reality
|approximation to the original
Themes
comparison
|art
|food
|communication
Examples
- The vegan cheese is a decent approximation of the real thing.
- The movie offers only a loose approximation of the novel's complex plot.
- Her accent was a close approximation to British English, but not perfect.
Learner examples
- The drawing is an approximation of the building.
- This sauce is a good approximation of the original.
Noun
technical
C1
abstract
3
Simplified mathematical substitute
in math or science, a simpler answer or model used because the exact one is difficult or unnecessary
Usage pattern:
[adjective] approximation; approximation to/of [a function/model]; approximation method
Common mistake:
In technical writing, an approximation is often a deliberate method, not a careless guess.
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)
Collocations
linear approximation
|numerical approximation
|polynomial approximation
|asymptotic approximation
|Gaussian approximation
|small-angle approximation
|approximation method
|approximation algorithm
|approximation error
|approximation theorem
Themes
mathematics
|science
|computing
|engineering
Examples
- The model uses a linear approximation to predict demand over a small range.
- Numerical approximations are often the only practical way to solve the equation.
- 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.
- The approximation was close to the true value.
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.
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.