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estimate

n. · v.
US //ˈɛstəˌmeɪt// es·ti·mate
  1. 1 a rough calculation (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate General-service

    a guess or calculation of the cost, size, or value of something based on the information you have.

    an approximate calculation or judgement of the value, number, quantity, or extent of something.

    Example

    The builder gave us a rough estimate of how much the new roof would cost.

    Example

    According to the latest government estimate, the project will require an additional three years of funding to reach completion.
  2. 2 a formal price quote (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate General-service Business

    a written document from a business saying how much they will charge for a job.

    a formal statement of the likely cost of a specific job or service, often provided by a contractor.

    Example

    We asked three different garages for an estimate before deciding where to fix the car.

    Example

    The contractor provided a detailed estimate that itemised the costs for both raw materials and skilled labour.
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  1. 3 to calculate roughly (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic General-service

    to guess the cost, size, or value of something using the information you have.

    to roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of something. Transitive — usually takes a direct object or a 'that' clause.

    Example

    Experts estimate that the painting is worth over one million dollars.

    Example

    Economists estimate that the new trade policy will increase the national growth rate by at least two percent over the next decade.
Etymology 1

From Middle English estimat, borrowed from Latin aestimātus (“valuing, estimate”, only used in the ablative singular: "aestimātū..." (in valuing...)), from aestimō + -tus (“action noun-forming suffix”).

Etymology 2

Borrowed from Latin aestimātus, perfect passive participle of aestimō (“to estimate”) (see -ate), older form aestumō (“to value, rate, esteem”); from Old Latin *ais-temos (“one who cuts copper”), meaning one in the Roman Republic who mints money. Compare Middle English estymatt (“reputed”) / estimat. See also the doublet esteem, as well as aim.

Etymology 3

From Latin aestimātus (“estimated”), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and Etymology 2 for more. Originally used as the past participle of estimate; compare generate or communicate.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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