Word
approximated
Phoneticsap·prox·i·mat·ed, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈpɹɑksəˌmeɪtɪd/
UK/ɐpɹˈɒksɪmˌeɪtɪd/
Definition
v. to come very close to a certain amount, quality, or result without being exactly the same. You use this when something is almost perfect or nearly correct.
v. to come close to a particular value, quality, or standard in terms of accuracy or resemblance. Often used to describe a result that is nearly but not perfectly precise.
Examples
“The final cost approximated the original estimate.”
“The researchers found that the results of the computer simulation closely approximated the data collected from the field study.”
“While the replica was crafted with great care, it only approximated the intricate textures and subtle color gradients found in the 15th-century original.”
Examples
simple
“The final cost approximated the original estimate.”
contextual
“The researchers found that the results of the computer simulation closely approximated the data collected from the field study.”
complex
“While the replica was crafted with great care, it only approximated the intricate textures and subtle color gradients found in the 15th-century original.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “approximated” in context.
Verb
01. closely approximate
“The digital simulation should closely approximate the behavior of the physical prototype.”
adv + verb
02. roughly approximate
“These figures only roughly approximate the total cost of the project.”
adv + verb
Noun
03. approximate reality
“The stage lighting was adjusted to approximate reality as much as possible.”
verb + noun
04. approximate value
“The software is designed to approximate value based on historical market trends.”
verb + noun
05. approximate to a degree
“The new model can approximate to a degree the complexity of human neural pathways.”
06. closely approximate the truth
“The witness's account seemed to closely approximate the truth of what happened.”
Usage
Transitive verb — takes a direct object. Often used in the past tense to describe a completed comparison or calculation.
Real-World Examples
“As Turing showed in his work, however, equally noncomputable numbers exist whose values cannot be approximated with arbitrary precision—that is, we have no idea what they look like.” “In “Summers Are Getting Hotter,” the graphs of the temperature distributions for each time period are histograms that can be approximated by a normal curve.” Etymology
Derived from the Latin 'approximatus', the past participle of 'approximare', meaning to draw near. It combines 'ad' (to) and 'proximus' (nearest). The word entered English in the 15th century, originally meaning to bring something close to something else.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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