approximately
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
AdverbUsed to indicate that a number, quantity, time, or measurement is not exact but is close to the stated amount; roughly.
Usage
The word "approximately" is used to modify a number or quantity, showing it is an estimate. It is formal and commonly used in both spoken and written English, especially in academic, scientific, and technical contexts. It is placed directly before the number or quantity it modifies.
Examples
- The journey takes approximately three hours.
- The project cost approximately $1.5 million.
- The temperature was approximately 25 degrees Celsius.
- Approximately 50 people attended the meeting.
Advanced Usage
- "Approximately equal to" (≈): A mathematical phrase and symbol meaning "almost equal to."
- The value of pi is approximately equal to 3.14.
- "Approximately speaking": Used to emphasize that a statement is a rough estimate.
- The two designs are, approximately speaking, the same size.
Variants and Related Words
- Approximate (Adjective): Close to the actual, but not completely accurate or exact.
- What is the approximate time of arrival?
- Approximate (Verb): To come close to; to estimate.
- The cost approximated our initial budget.
Synonyms
- About: (Less formal)
- Roughly: (Slightly less formal)
- Around: (Informal)
- More or less: (Informal)
- Circa: (Formal, used especially with dates)
Idioms and Phrases
- In the neighborhood of: Used for estimates of amounts, especially money.
- The final price was in the neighborhood of ten thousand dollars.
- Give or take: Used after a number to indicate a possible small variation.
- The lecture lasted an hour, give or take a few minutes.
Adverb
- (of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
- lasted approximately an hour
- in just about a minute
- he's about 30 years old
- I've had about all I can stand
- we meet about once a month
- some forty people came
- weighs around a hundred pounds
- roughly $3,000
- holds 3 gallons, more or less
- 20 or so people were at the party