ap·prox·i·mate
ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət 
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
ap·prox·i·mate
ə-ˈpräk-sə-ˌmāt
approximated; approximating
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
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
The Illustrated Dictionary of Art Terms
Synonyms
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 WebMiriam Fauzia, Ars Technica, 11 Nov. 2023
That’s the approximate distance Musk traveled Monday to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and tour a kibbutz ravaged in Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack.
—Will Oremus, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023
An approximate half-mile portion of Sheridan Road from Hawthorn Avenue to Harbor Road was closed for several hours following the incident.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2023
Google said that people using Find My Device, the software that shows the location of Android smartphones, see a one-time disclosure that the device location is approximate and might not always be accurate.
—Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2023
Over time, a small clump grows into a thicket the approximate size of Delaware.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2023
Maps of most regions display only approximate depths and often miss entire underwater mountains or canyons.
—Ethan Freedman, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023
China now is working on a crewed lunar program with the approximate goal of landing its astronauts on the Moon around 2030.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 18 Oct. 2023
The approximate dates of this internship are from January 2024 to June 2024.
—G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Caleb Richter, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
The scientists approximated the effects of mining by pumping sediment into the jellies’ tanks, essentially asking how the animals would cope with the muddy water.
—Kate Golembiewski, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
Goldberg also replaced missing feathers, using those from ducks and geese that had been colored to approximate a pigeon’s.
—Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Nov. 2023
Researchers from Peru, Poland and Sweden created a lifelike silicone model of her face that approximates the girl’s appearance at the time of her death, according to an announcement from the Catholic University of Santa María in Peru, where Juanita is displayed.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2023
Underground pipes will deliver blasts of air that can approximate wind, steam, raindrops or various smells, such as roses, forests or chocolate chip cookies.
—Katherine Rosman, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023
This ring means something to me: To my mental health, my peace of mind, the never-ending art of approximating balance.
—Erika Veurink, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2023
Human feedback is what allows today’s chatbots to approximate turn-by-turn conversation, rather than just providing a single response.
—Cade Metz, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2023
Head to the gym midday and approximate the magic morning routine at noon.
—Sherry Walling, Fortune Well, 15 Aug. 2023
See More
Adjective
Mapping the isotopic signatures to their approximate geographies, Dominy and his colleagues discovered some of the animals weren’t native to Egypt, likely hailing from somewhere in the area of Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Somalia.
—Miriam Fauzia, Ars Technica, 11 Nov. 2023
That’s the approximate distance Musk traveled Monday to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and tour a kibbutz ravaged in Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack.
—Will Oremus, Washington Post, 29 Nov. 2023
An approximate half-mile portion of Sheridan Road from Hawthorn Avenue to Harbor Road was closed for several hours following the incident.
—Daniel I. Dorfman, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2023
Google said that people using Find My Device, the software that shows the location of Android smartphones, see a one-time disclosure that the device location is approximate and might not always be accurate.
—Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2023
Over time, a small clump grows into a thicket the approximate size of Delaware.
—Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 Oct. 2023
Maps of most regions display only approximate depths and often miss entire underwater mountains or canyons.
—Ethan Freedman, Scientific American, 17 Oct. 2023
China now is working on a crewed lunar program with the approximate goal of landing its astronauts on the Moon around 2030.
—Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 18 Oct. 2023
The approximate dates of this internship are from January 2024 to June 2024.
—G. Elliott Morris, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2023
Verb
For context, this approximates the nation’s GDP in 2022, which was $25.46 trillion, as stated by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
—Caleb Richter, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023
The scientists approximated the effects of mining by pumping sediment into the jellies’ tanks, essentially asking how the animals would cope with the muddy water.
—Kate Golembiewski, New York Times, 21 Nov. 2023
Goldberg also replaced missing feathers, using those from ducks and geese that had been colored to approximate a pigeon’s.
—Alice George, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Nov. 2023
Researchers from Peru, Poland and Sweden created a lifelike silicone model of her face that approximates the girl’s appearance at the time of her death, according to an announcement from the Catholic University of Santa María in Peru, where Juanita is displayed.
—Daniel Wu, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2023
Underground pipes will deliver blasts of air that can approximate wind, steam, raindrops or various smells, such as roses, forests or chocolate chip cookies.
—Katherine Rosman, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2023
This ring means something to me: To my mental health, my peace of mind, the never-ending art of approximating balance.
—Erika Veurink, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2023
Human feedback is what allows today’s chatbots to approximate turn-by-turn conversation, rather than just providing a single response.
—Cade Metz, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2023
Head to the gym midday and approximate the magic morning routine at noon.
—Sherry Walling, Fortune Well, 15 Aug. 2023
See More
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 9 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
approximate
1 of 2 adjective
ap·prox·i·mate
ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət
: nearly correct or exact
the approximate cost
approximate rhyme
approximate
2 of 2 verb
ap·prox·i·mate
ə-ˈpräk-sə-ˌmāt
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
: located close together
approximate
2 of 2 transitive verb
ap·prox·i·mate
-ˌmāt
approximated; approximating
: to bring together
approximate cut edges of tissue
More from Merriam-Webster on approximate
Nglish: Translation of approximate for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of approximate for Arabic Speakers
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share