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REFERENCE

approximate

adj. · v.
US //əˈpɹɑksəˌmeɪt// ap·prox·i·mate
  1. 1 nearly correct (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    close to the actual number or amount, but not 100% exact.

    denoting a value or estimate that is nearly correct but lacks absolute precision.

    Example

    The builder gave us an approximate cost for the new roof.

    Example

    The researchers provided an approximate figure for the population decline, noting that a precise census was impossible due to the remote terrain.
  2. 2 close together (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    positioned very close to each other but not actually touching.

    situated in close proximity; in botany, describes parts that are close together but not united.

    Example

    The leaves on this plant are approximate, meaning they grow very close together.

    Example

    The specimen was identified by its approximate scales, which clustered tightly along the stem without ever fusing into a single sheath.
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  1. 3 to be similar to (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    to be almost the same as something else.

    to come close to or be similar to something in quality, nature, or quantity.

    Example

    The new synthetic material tries to approximate the feel of real leather.

    Example

    While the simulation is advanced, it can only approximate the complex atmospheric conditions found during a real hurricane.
  2. 4 to calculate roughly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Math

    to guess or calculate a number so that it is nearly correct.

    to estimate or calculate a value to a near but non-exact degree.

    Example

    You can approximate the answer by rounding the numbers to the nearest ten.

    Example

    Engineers often approximate the load-bearing capacity of the soil before beginning the formal structural analysis.
Etymology 1

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Latin proximō Latin approximō Latin approximātusder. Middle English approximat English approximate From Middle English approximat(e) (“close, near (to); similar; intimate”, also used as the past participle of approximaten), from Latin approximātus, the perfect passive participle of approximō (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), further from ad- (“to, towards, at”) + proximō (“to come near”). The noun was derived from the adjective through substantivization, see -ate (noun-forming suffix). See also proximate. By surface analysis, ap- + proximate.

Etymology 2

From Middle English approximaten (“to bring, put close (to)”), from approximat(e) (“close, near (to); similar; intimate”, also used as the past participle of approximaten) + -en (verb-forming suffix), borrowed from Latin approximātus, see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more.

Word family

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