approximately

adverb

ap·​prox·​i·​mate·​ly ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət-lē 

: in an approximate manner

an event in ancient history that can only be approximately dated

—used to indicate that a stated number, amount, or value is an approximation

Approximately [=around, about] 2,000 people attended the rally.

arrived at approximately 11:30 in the morning

During a lifetime, a person will take approximately 500 million breaths.

—Arthur S. Slutsky, M.D., et al.

Synonyms of approximately

• roughly
• about
• around

Examples of approximately in a Sentence

it takes approximately three hours to drive to Dallas

Recent Examples on the Web

Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 8 June 2026

According to the firm, Kutner has been involved in resolving approximately 40,000 cases over the course of his career and has represented clients seeking compensation for a variety of injury claims. —Kaitlyn Gomez, USA Today, 8 June 2026

The epicenter was approximately 6 miles northwest of The Geysers, at a depth of 1 mile. —Ca Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 8 June 2026

According to a National Family Health Survey, approximately 18% of people in Mumbai reported being vegetarian, which has shaped a street food culture built around plants, legumes and dairy. —Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 8 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for approximately

• proximately

Kids Definition

approximately

adverb

ap·​prox·​i·​mate·​ly

-mət-lē

: reasonably close to

approximately 5 miles

at approximately six o'clock