Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense approximates, present participle approximating, past tense, past participle approximatedpronunciation note: The adjective is pronounced (əprɒksɪmət). The verb is pronounced (əprɒksɪmeɪt).
1. adjective
An approximate number, time, or position is close to the correct number, time, or position, but is not exact.
The approximate cost varies from around £150 to £250.
The times are approximate only.
Synonyms: rough, close, general, near More Synonyms of approximate
approximatelyadverb
Approximately $150 million is to be spent on improvements.
Synonyms: almost, about, around, generally More Synonyms of approximate
2. adjective
An idea or description that is approximate is not intended to be precise or accurate, but to give some indication of what something is like.
They did not have even an approximate idea what the Germans really wanted.
3. verb
If something approximatesto something else, it is similar to it but is not exactly the same.
Something approximating to a fair outcome will be ensured. [VERB + to]
By about 6 weeks of age, most babies begin to show something approximating a day/nightsleeping pattern. [VERB noun]
More Synonyms of approximate
approximate in British English
adjective (əˈprɒksɪmɪt)
1.
almost accurate or exact
2.
inexact; rough; loose
only an approximate fit
3.
much alike; almost the same
4.
near; close together
verb (əˈprɒksɪˌmeɪt)
5. (usually foll by to)
to come or bring near or close; be almost the same (as)
6. mathematics
to find an expression for (some quantity) accurate to a specified degree
accurate (sense 4)
Derived forms
approximative (apˈproximative)
adjective
Word origin
C15: from Late Latin approximāre, from Latin proximus nearest, from prope near
approximate in American English
(əˈprɑksəmɪt; for v., əˈprɑksəˌmeɪt)
adjective
1.
near in position; close together
2.
much like; resembling
3.
more or less correct or exact
verb transitiveWord forms: apˈproxiˌmated or apˈproxiˌmating
4.
to come near to; approach or be almost the same as
this painting approximates reality
5.
to bring near; make approach (to something)
verb intransitive
6.
to come near; be almost the same
Derived forms
approximately (apˈproximately)
adverb
Word origin
ME < LL approximatus, pp. of approximare, to come near < L ad-, to + proximus, superl. of prope, near
Examples of 'approximate' in a sentence
approximate
If you work very hard you may approximate to something like it yourself one day.
Brandon, Ruth LEFT, RIGHT AND CENTRE (1993)
They have wanted to approximate men and they are achieving it fast.
Appiganesi, Lisa DREAMS OF INNOCENCE (1993)
Grace asked me where I was and I gave her my approximate whereabouts.
Parker, T. Jefferson SUMMER OF FEAR (1993)
In other languages
approximate
British English: approximate /əˈprɒksɪmɪt/ ADJECTIVE
Approximate figures are close to the correct figure, but are not exact.
The times are approximate only.
American English: approximate
Arabic: تَقْرِيبيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: aproximado
Chinese: 近似的
Croatian: približan
Czech: přibližný
Danish: anslået
Dutch: geschat
European Spanish: aproximado
Finnish: likimääräinen
French: approximatif
German: ungefähr
Greek: προσεγγιστικός
Italian: approssimativo
Japanese: 近似の
Korean: 대략적인
Norwegian: omtrentlig
Polish: przybliżony
European Portuguese: aproximado
Romanian: aproximativ
Russian: приблизительный
Latin American Spanish: aproximado
Swedish: ungefärlig
Thai: ประมาณ
Turkish: yaklaşık
Ukrainian: приблизний
Vietnamese: xấp xỉ
Chinese translation of 'approximate'
approximate
(adjəˈprɔksɪmɪt; vbəˈprɔksɪmeɪt)
adj
[amount, number, age]近似的 (jìnsì de)
vi
to approximate to (= resemble) 接近于(於) (jiējìn yú)
1 (adjective)
Definition
almost but not quite exact
The times are approximate only.
Synonyms
rough
We were only able to make a rough estimate.
close
The poem is a close translation from the original Latin.
general
chemicals called by the general description `flavour enhancer'
near
estimated
loose
We came to some sort of loose arrangement before he went home.
vague
His description of the events was very vague.
hazy
sketchy
amorphous
imprecise
The charges were vague and imprecise.
inexact
almost exact
almost accurate
Opposites
specific
,
correct
,
accurate
,
exact
,
precise
,
definite
2 (adjective)
Synonyms
like
close
A White House official said an agreement is close.
near
I have no near relations.
similar
The accident was similar to one that happened in 1973.
relative
the relative importance of education in 50 countries
comparable
The scoring systems used in the two studies are not directly comparable.
analogous
This kind of construction is analogous to building a bridge under water.
verging on
phrasal verb
See approximate to
Additional synonyms
in the sense of analogous
Definition
similar in some respects
This kind of construction is analogous to building a bridge under water.
Synonyms
similar,
like,
related,
equivalent,
parallel,
resembling,
alike,
corresponding,
comparable,
akin,
homologous
in the sense of close
Definition
careful, strict, or searching
The poem is a close translation from the original Latin.
Synonyms
accurate,
strict,
exact,
precise,
faithful,
literal,
conscientious
in the sense of close
Definition
near or in proximity
A White House official said an agreement is close.