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

But in recent years, scientists have found that the expansion rate of the early universe and that of the more recent universe vary by approximately 9%. — Quanta Magazine, 22 June 2026

Lightning hits the United States approximately 25 million times annually. — Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 June 2026

The renovation will reduce capacity from 51,913 to approximately 50,000. — Fisher Isbell, AJC.com, 22 June 2026

Endometriosis is a condition affecting the reproductive system in which uterine tissue grows outside of the uterus, causing cramping and chronic pain, according to the World Health Organization, which estimates that approximately 190 million women worldwide have the disease. — Vanessa Etienne, PEOPLE, 22 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