approximate

1 of 2

adjective

ap·​prox·​i·​mate ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət How to pronounce approximate (audio)
1
: nearly correct or exact : close in value or amount but not precise
an approximate solution
an approximate date
2
: located close together
approximate leaves

approximate

2 of 2

verb

ap·​prox·​i·​mate ə-ˈpräk-sə-ˌmāt How to pronounce approximate (audio)
approximated; approximating

transitive verb

1
: to come near to or be close to (something)
a reproduction that approximates the original
2
a
: to bring near or close
b
: to bring (cut edges of tissue) together

intransitive verb

chiefly British : to come close
usually used with to
… the pigments on a palette can only approximate to the limitless range of colour in nature.The Illustrated Dictionary of Art Terms

Examples of approximate in a Sentence

Adjective This is the approximate location of the ancient city. Can you give me the approximate cost of the repair? Verb I've finally found a vegetarian burger that approximates the taste of real beef. The colors in the pictures can only approximate the real thing. an Australian who can approximate a strong New York City accent
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The approximate cost ranges from $12 million to $345 million — the high end for a potential downtown location — depending on options to lease, buy or rehabilitate an available facility, according to the report. Alexandra Mendoza, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024 This artist’s conception, which is not based on any specific design for a cargo ship, is intended to show the approximate scale of such a vessel. IEEE Spectrum, 20 Jan. 2024 The shaded areas of the map show the approximate boundaries where air quality is available and listed as anything other than good. Kristi Tanner, Detroit Free Press, 18 Jan. 2024 That translates to a $30 million (approximate) annual deficit relative to the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State and USC. Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2024 To be sure, all these numbers are approximate, but the U.S. share still remained disproportionate. Christian Schneider, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023 In the carefree days before a fence was installed and a tree grew high in the approximate spot where the mound would be, outfielders fanned out along John Kennedy Street as balls made from tape or socks whistled through the neighborhood. Bryce Miller, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2024 That’s the approximate amount Trump was ordered to pay in the civil fraud case, which balloons to $453.5 million—and counting—when interest is included. Alison Durkee, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024 An hour later, precinct meetings are called to order, leaving an approximate 60- to 90-minute window for attendees to vote for not just the party's presidential nominee but also for delegates, central committee members, and resolutions governing county conventions. Kathryn Palmer, USA TODAY, 9 Feb. 2024
Verb
Its bottle was carved from a block of wood to approximate a three-dimensional rendering of a sound wave. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 31 Jan. 2024 In the past, energy consumption patterns by large battery manufacturing facilities could only be approximated. USA TODAY, 23 Jan. 2024 Note that approximating a solution or solving a small instance (most of us can solve a 9 x 9 sudoku) doesn’t suffice. Jack Murtagh, Scientific American, 22 Dec. 2023 The environment can speak with an authority that no graphic designer can approximate individually, and that posters cannot carry alone. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024 This experiment illustrates how temperature, while important, is just one part of a sensory suite of human touch that can hopefully be built into prosthetics that more truly approximate a human hand. Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Feb. 2024 When Aaron Rodgers went from future Hall of Fame quarterback to a weekly sideshow before being traded to the New York Jets, the Packers were pleasantly surprised to see Jordan Love perform at something approximating a Rodgers level — at a much smaller price tag and with a lot less drama. Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2024 Observers could outline their positions in the sky but could only approximate their distances and shapes. Ann Finkbeiner, Scientific American, 16 Jan. 2024 Before, investors had to go through cryptocurrency trading firms like Coinbase that charged transaction fees or had to buy financial products that tried to approximate the price of bitcoin in more roundabout ways. Gerrit De Vynck, Washington Post, 11 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'approximate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

Late Latin approximatus, past participle of approximare to come near, from Latin ad- + proximare to come near — more at proximate

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of approximate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near approximate

Cite this Entry

“Approximate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approximate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

approximate

1 of 2 adjective
ap·​prox·​i·​mate ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət How to pronounce approximate (audio)
: nearly correct or exact
the approximate cost
approximate rhyme

approximate

2 of 2 verb
ap·​prox·​i·​mate ə-ˈpräk-sə-ˌmāt How to pronounce approximate (audio)
approximated; approximating
1
: to bring near or close
2
: to come near in position, value, or characteristics : approach
tried to approximate the singer's style

Medical Definition

approximate

1 of 2 adjective
ap·​prox·​i·​mate ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət How to pronounce approximate (audio)
: located close together

approximate

2 of 2 transitive verb
ap·​prox·​i·​mate -ˌmāt How to pronounce approximate (audio)
approximated; approximating
: to bring together
approximate cut edges of tissue
approximation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on approximate

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