approximate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "approximate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a number, measurement, or estimate that is close to but not exactly the same as the actual value or amount. For example, "The approximate cost of the repairs to our car is $500."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Grab lower right corner of chart and re-size it until it is an approximate square.

WikiHow

In a letter to the information commissioner, Ipsa said: "Primarily, a trial of extracting and redacting receipts and invoices for the purposes of publication showed that the cost would be in excess of £1m for additional staffing and IT costs alone, compared to the approximate £250,000 cost under the chosen model".

The Guardian

A special system of counting was this year adopted by the officials, by which they were enabled to arrive at the exact number of the "extra" correspondence, whereas in previous years the estimate was only approximate, though no doubt sufficiently accurate for all practical purposes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All of this because of heroin!" It's hard to tell how much irony is at work here; my bad German and her approximate English don't always quite meet in the middle.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

But the task of measuring the approximate happiness of individuals and countries can be achieved; it is being achieved, and will go on being achieved, in better and better ways.

The Guardian

This is the approximate equivalent of an Olympic gold in life skills at Westminster.

The Guardian

All she had was a name, Guido, and an approximate birth date.

The Guardian

Characters reveal themselves through dialogue, but dialogue is not necessarily a verbatim reproduction of everyday speech, even though it might approximate to it.

The Guardian

To foil keyword filters, Mr Xia replaces sensitive words such as "freedom" and "elections" with uncommon or approximate synonyms, or descriptive phrases.

The Economist

Information about what is happening in an economy is approximate and always out of date; and changes in taxes and spending often take a long and unpredictable amount of time to take effect.

The Economist

The press is an essential ingredient of scandal and the media's preoccupations only ever approximate those of the public.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "approximate", clarify the degree of imprecision if possible. For example, instead of saying "The approximate cost is $100", specify "The approximate cost is $100, plus or minus $10."

Common error

Don't use "approximate" when a precise figure is available or necessary. If exactness matters, take the time to determine the correct value.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "approximate" primarily functions to qualify a noun, indicating that it is near or similar but not exactly the same as a given value or standard. Ludwig shows its usage in a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

16%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "approximate" is a versatile adjective used to indicate that something is near or similar to a certain value, without being exactly the same. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific discussions. While "approximate" is frequently employed to convey estimations or inexactness, it is important to be as precise as possible and provide a range of imprecision if the context requires it. Alternatives like "estimated", "close to", and "rough estimate" can be used depending on the level of specificity needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

estimated

Indicates a calculated guess or rough assessment.

close to

Emphasizes proximity rather than precise calculation.

in the vicinity of

Suggests a surrounding area or range instead of a specific point.

rough estimate

Highlights the lack of precision in the calculation.

ballpark figure

Indicates a very general and non-specific number.

near enough

Emphasizes acceptability despite a lack of exactness.

give or take

Suggests a small degree of variability around a central value.

in the neighborhood of

Similar to "in the vicinity of" but perhaps slightly less formal.

something like

Expresses a loose comparison or resemblance.

around about

Primarily British usage indicating a rough estimation of time or quantity.

FAQs

How can I use "approximate" in a sentence?

Use "approximate" to indicate a value that is close to, but not exactly, the correct figure. For example, "The "approximate distance" is 10 miles" or "What is the "approximate time"?".

What's the difference between "approximate" and "exact"?

"Approximate" means near or close to an actual value, whereas "exact" means precisely correct. Therefore, something that is "approximate" is not precise, but something that is "exact" is.

What can I say instead of "approximate"?

You can use alternatives like "estimated", "close to", or "rough estimate" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "approximate" when referring to a time?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to use "approximate" when referring to a time. You might ask, "What is the "approximate time" of arrival?"