Word
estimation
Phoneticses·ti·ma·tion, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɛstəˈmeɪʃən/
UK/ˌɛstɪmˈeɪʃən/
Definitions
01calculating a value
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Mathematics
n. the act of guessing or calculating a number, size, or amount when you do not have the exact facts.
n. the process of forming an approximate calculation or judgment regarding the value, amount, or size of something.
“The estimation of the project's total cost was much lower than the final bill.”
“Initial estimation of the crowd size proved difficult due to the constant movement of people through the square's multiple exits.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'of' to describe what is being measured.
Teaching tip
In academic contexts, this refers to a systematic method rather than a random guess.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02an opinion or judgment
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. your personal opinion about how good or valuable someone or something is.
n. a subjective judgment or opinion regarding the worth, character, or quality of a person or thing.
“In my estimation, she is the best candidate for the manager position.”
“The director's estimation of the young architect's potential was confirmed when the firm won the international design competition.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the phrase 'in my estimation'.
Teaching tip
This is a more formal way to say 'in my opinion'.
03respect or regard
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal · Literary
n. the feeling of respect or admiration you have for someone.
n. the state of being held in high regard or esteem by others.
“He is held in high estimation by all of his colleagues at the university.”
“The diplomat fell in the public's estimation after the details of the secret negotiations were leaked to the press.”
Usage
Often used with 'high' or 'low'.
Teaching tip
This sense is less common in modern speech than 'respect' or 'reputation'.
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“Learn the difference between two closely-related verbs we use to make future estimations!” “The conclusions were based on people’s estimation of how hot the drinks were that they had consumed rather than their exact temperatures.” “Indeed, landing in the right ballpark was kind of Fermi’s schtick – he loved these sorts of back-of-the-envelope estimations, so much so that they are now known as Fermi problems.” Etymology
From Middle English estimacioun, estimacion, from Old French estimacion, from Latin aestimatio. Morphologically estimate + -ion.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/estimation