Approximately: meaning, definitions and examples
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approximately
[əˈprɒksɪmətli ]
Definitions
in estimation
Used to show that a number, amount, time, etc., is not exact but is fairly close.
Synonyms
about, almost, around, roughly.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| approximately |
Used in formal or scientific contexts to indicate a close estimation.
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| roughly |
Used when the estimate is very approximate and in informal contexts. It can imply a more significant uncertainty.
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| about |
Used in casual or everyday conversation to indicate an approximate amount or time.
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| around |
Used in spoken English to estimate time, quantity, or measurements. Similar to 'about' but can sometimes imply a slightly broader range.
|
| almost |
Indicates something that is very close to happening or being reached but is not quite there. Can sometimes have a slight negative connotation.
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Examples of usage
- He arrived at approximately 8 o'clock.
- The project will take approximately two weeks to complete.
in approximation
Used to indicate an estimated figure or value that is close to the actual one.
Synonyms
close to, near, nearly, roughly.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| approximately |
Used when giving a general idea of a number or amount, which is not exact but close enough for practical purposes.
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| nearly |
Used to indicate that something is almost but not completely the case. Often used when something is very close to happening.
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| close to |
Used when something is nearly in quantity, amount, or distance. It can be both literal or figurative.
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| roughly |
Used when giving an estimate that is not precise and might have an informal tone. It can imply a larger margin of error.
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| near |
Used when talking about physical proximity. It indicates that something is in close distance, but not necessarily touching.
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Examples of usage
- The population of the city is approximately 1 million.
- The cost is approximately $50.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Latin 'approximatus', meaning 'to come near' or 'to approach'.
- It entered the English language in the 17th century, showing a growing need to express estimates in conversation and writing.
Mathematics
- In math, it often refers to rounding numbers to make calculations easier and to express values that are not whole.
- Approximation methods are crucial in calculus for estimating the value of functions that are difficult to solve exactly.
Science
- Scientific measurements frequently use this term to indicate that readings may vary slightly due to equipment limits.
- Data analysis often relies on approximations to simplify complex data sets and trends for better understanding.
Pop Culture
- The term is often humorously used in social media to describe things that are not exact, like 'approximately 5 million selfies taken today!’
- In movies and TV shows, characters might say 'approximately' to sound smarter, especially during complicated discussions.
Education
- Teachers often encourage students to use 'approximately' when making estimates in math problems to improve their problem-solving skills.
- In subjects like science and economics, understanding approximations is key to making predictions and formulating theories.
Translations
Translations of the word "approximately" in other languages:
🇵🇹 aproximadamente
🇮🇳 लगभग
🇩🇪 ungefähr
🇮🇩 kira-kira
🇺🇦 приблизно
🇵🇱 około
🇯🇵 約
🇫🇷 environ
🇪🇸 aproximadamente
🇹🇷 yaklaşık
🇰🇷 대략
🇸🇦 تقريباً
🇨🇿 přibližně
🇸🇰 približne
🇨🇳 大约
🇸🇮 približno
🇮🇸 um það bil
🇰🇿 шамамен
🇬🇪 დაახლოებით
🇦🇿 təxminən
🇲🇽 aproximadamente