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

Benchmark analyst Mark Zgutowicz’s $65 price target is approximately 77% above where Trade Desk shares closed Friday. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 15 Dec. 2025

After deliberating for nearly four hours following closing arguments on Friday without reaching a verdict, jurors resumed deliberations Monday morning for another approximately two hours. —Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 15 Dec. 2025

Using an input-output economic model, the analysis estimates that Airbnb guest spending in Atlanta could generate approximately $70 million in total economic activity once indirect and induced effects are included. —CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025

The approximately mile and a half drive to the convention center went off with no apparent issues — no excessive speeding, the turn signals were used and there were no unexpected incidents. —Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 15 Dec. 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