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

• about
• around
• like
• more or less
• much
• near
• plus or minus
• roughly
• say
• some

Examples of approximately in a Sentence

it takes approximately three hours to drive to Dallas

Recent Examples on the Web

That purchase price included tax benefits valued at approximately $165 million representing a net purchase price after tax of $980 million. —Mark Faithfull, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually. —Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 9 June 2025

This watch is in effect until 10 p.m. Actions to take when lightning threat is imminent Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually. —Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 9 June 2025

The 2025 redesign also trimmed some weight from the original, reducing it from approximately 33 pounds to just over 30 pounds, including the harness. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2025

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