Word
approximately
Phoneticsap·prox·i·mate·ly, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈpɹɑksəmətɫi/
UK/ɐpɹˈɒksɪmətlˌi/
日本語約※
Adverb of degree
Definition
adv. close to a particular number or amount, but not exactly. You use this when you want to give a rough estimate rather than a perfect count.
adv. used to show that a value or amount is nearly but not completely accurate. Often used in technical or academic contexts to indicate an estimation.
Examples
“The journey takes approximately two hours.”
“The repair work will cost approximately five hundred dollars depending on the price of the parts.”
“While the exact figure remains confidential, the company confirmed that approximately sixty percent of its workforce now operates remotely on a permanent basis.”
Examples
simple
“The journey takes approximately two hours.”
contextual
“The repair work will cost approximately five hundred dollars depending on the price of the parts.”
complex
“While the exact figure remains confidential, the company confirmed that approximately sixty percent of its workforce now operates remotely on a permanent basis.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “approximately” in context.
Adjective
01. approximately equivalent
“One mile is approximately equivalent to 1.6 kilometers.”
adv + adj
02. approximately million
03. approximately years
04. approximately people
05. approximately a fifth
Usage
Typically placed immediately before the numerical value or quantity it modifies.
Pitfall
The approximately cost is ten dollars
The approximate cost is ten dollars
Learners often use the adverb 'approximately' where the adjective 'approximate' is required to modify a noun.
Etymology
From approximate + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Domain
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/approximately
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0