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Approximately: meaning, definitions and examples

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approximately

 

[ əˈprɒksɪmətli ]

Adverb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adverb

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?

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Word Description / Examples
approximately

Used in formal or scientific contexts to indicate a close estimation.

  • The new building will be completed in approximately six months.
  • The distance between the two cities is approximately 120 miles.
roughly

Used when the estimate is very approximate and in informal contexts. It can imply a more significant uncertainty.

  • There were roughly a hundred people at the concert.
  • It takes roughly an hour to get there by car.
about

Used in casual or everyday conversation to indicate an approximate amount or time.

  • I’ll be there in about ten minutes.
  • There were about 50 people at the party.
around

Used in spoken English to estimate time, quantity, or measurements. Similar to 'about' but can sometimes imply a slightly broader range.

  • He should arrive around noon.
  • We will need around 20 more chairs for the event.
almost

Indicates something that is very close to happening or being reached but is not quite there. Can sometimes have a slight negative connotation.

  • I almost missed the bus this morning.
  • He’s almost finished with his project.

Examples of usage

  • He arrived at approximately 8 o'clock.
  • The project will take approximately two weeks to complete.
Context #2 | Adverb

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?

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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.

  • The meeting will last approximately two hours
  • There were approximately 100 people at the event
nearly

Used to indicate that something is almost but not completely the case. Often used when something is very close to happening.

  • I nearly missed the bus
  • The store is nearly empty
close to

Used when something is nearly in quantity, amount, or distance. It can be both literal or figurative.

  • The hotel is close to the beach
  • I am close to finishing the project
roughly

Used when giving an estimate that is not precise and might have an informal tone. It can imply a larger margin of error.

  • The population of the town is roughly 10,000 people
  • The trip will take roughly three hours
near

Used when talking about physical proximity. It indicates that something is in close distance, but not necessarily touching.

  • The school is near my house
  • I saw him near the exit

Examples of usage

  • The population of the city is approximately 1 million.
  • The cost is approximately $50.

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

Etymology

The word 'approximately' originated from the combination of the prefix 'approxim-' meaning near or close to, and the suffix '-ly' to form an adverb. It has been in use since the mid-17th century to express the idea of being close in quantity, degree, value, etc., without being exact. Over time, 'approximately' has become a commonly used adverb in English language to convey rough estimations or close proximity to a particular value or time.

See also: approximating, approximation.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,058, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.