# approximately

/əˈpɹɑksəmətɫi/ (US) · /ɐpɹˈɒksɪmətlˌi/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/approximately
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The approximately cost is ten dollars" but "The approximate cost is ten dollars" — Learners often use the adverb 'approximately' where the adjective 'approximate' is required to modify a noun.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed immediately before the numerical value or quantity it modifies.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.