approximate — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Approaching; proximate; nearly resembling.

2. Nearing correctness; nearly exact; not perfectly accurate.

   Synonyms

   crude

   Examples

   approximate results or values

   NASA’s Genesis spacecraft has on board an ion monitor to record the speed, density, temperature and approximate composition of the solar wind ions.

3. Drawn close together, but not united.

Noun

1. An approximate result or quantity.

   Usage

   • Rare

Verb

1. To estimate.

   Usage

   • Transitive or intransitive

   Examples

   I approximated the value of pi by taking 22 divided by 7.

   More examples (1)

   As yet, we don't know what the comparable figures will be like for the current financial year which ends in March 2022, but we can have a good stab at approximating them.

2. To come near to; to approach.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   When you follow two separate chains of thought, Watson, you will find some point of intersection which should approximate to the truth.

   The telescope approximates perfection.

3. To carry or advance near; to cause to approach.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Examples

   to approximate the inequality of riches to the level of nature

Adjective

1. not quite exact or correct

   Synonyms

   approximativerough

   Examples

   the approximate time was 10 o'clock

   a rough guess

   More examples (1)

   a rough estimate

2. very close in resemblance

   Synonyms

   near

   Examples

   sketched in an approximate likeness

   a near likeness

3. located close together

   Synonyms

   close together

   Examples

   with heads close together

   approximate leaves grow together but are not united

Verb

1. be close or similar

   Synonyms

   come close

   Broader terms

   resemble

   Examples

   Her results approximate my own

2. judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)

   Synonyms

   estimategaugeguessjudge

   Broader terms

   calculateciphercyphercomputework outreckonfigure

   Examples

   I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds