Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact: Used to describe something that is nearly correct or precise, but may have a small degree of error or estimation.
   • Very similar or close in resemblance: Describing something that is almost like another thing in appearance, nature, or quantity.
   • Located close together: Describing things that are positioned near each other.

2. Verb:

   • To come close or be similar to something: To be nearly the same as something else in quality, quantity, or effect.
   • To estimate or judge tentatively: To calculate or guess an amount, time, or value that is not exact but is reasonably close.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The approximate time of arrival is 3 PM. (The estimated, not exact, time is 3 PM.)
  • The two fabrics are of an approximate color. (The two fabrics are of a very similar, nearly identical, color.)
  • The approximate leaves grow in clusters. (The leaves that are located close together grow in groups.)

• Verb:

  • Her test scores approximate the class average. (Her scores are close to or similar to the class average.)
  • Can you approximate the total cost? (Can you give a rough estimate of the total cost?)

Advanced Usage

• "to approximate to": To come very close to reaching or achieving a particular state, standard, or quality.
  • The new model's performance approximates to that of the market leader. (The new model's performance comes very close to matching the market leader's.)

Variants and Related Words

• Approximately (adverb): Used before a number or amount to show it is not exact.
  • The journey takes approximately two hours.
• Approximation (noun): A figure, amount, or value that is close to the correct one; the act of estimating.
  • These calculations are only an approximation of the total.
• Approximative (adjective): Another term for approximate, meaning involving or based on an approximation.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Rough, estimated, near, close, similar.
• Verb: Estimate, gauge, judge, resemble, approach.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Approximate to: (As shown in Advanced Usage) To come near to in character, quality, or quantity.
  • The sound approximates to a human scream. (The sound is very similar to a human scream.)

Adjective

1. located close together
   • with heads close together
   • approximate leaves grow together but are not united
2. very close in resemblance
   • sketched in an approximate likeness
   • a near likeness
3. not quite exact or correct
   • the approximate time was 10 o'clock
   • a rough guess
   • a ballpark estimate

Verb

1. judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)
   • I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds
2. be close or similar
   • Her results approximate my own