estimate
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a guess or calculation of the cost, size, or value of something based on the information you have.
n.an approximate calculation or judgement of the value, number, quantity, or extent of something.
Simple“The builder gave us a rough estimate of how much the new roof would cost.”
In context“According to the latest government estimate, the project will require an additional three years of funding to reach completion.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a written document from a business saying how much they will charge for a job.
n.a formal statement of the likely cost of a specific job or service, often provided by a contractor.
Simple“We asked three different garages for an estimate before deciding where to fix the car.”
In context“The contractor provided a detailed estimate that itemised the costs for both raw materials and skilled labour.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to guess the cost, size, or value of something using the information you have.
v.to roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of something. Transitive — usually takes a direct object or a 'that' clause.
Simple“Experts estimate that the painting is worth over one million dollars.”
In context“Economists estimate that the new trade policy will increase the national growth rate by at least two percent over the next decade.”
Usage estimates suggest · estimates vary · accurate estimate
“However, the middle estimate of how much the policy would cost overall is £1.1bn.”
“The government estimates these new sites could eventually house about 3,750 people.”
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”).
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.
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.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.