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approximately

adverb

ap·​prox·​i·​mate·​ly ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət-lē How to pronounce approximately (audio)
Synonyms of approximatelynext
: 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.

Examples of approximately in a Sentence

it takes approximately three hours to drive to Dallas
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
However, the discount was approximately 95 percent, the incident was caught on camera, and the football players were subsequently arrested for grand theft. Dan Pompei, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025 In the areas north of Route 50, including Baltimore Washington International (BWI) airport, a wintry mix may accumulate to approximately one-half inch before turning completely to rain. Kaicey Baylor, CBS News, 1 Dec. 2025 The New York Post reported approximately 3,000 were currently in flight at the time of the announcement. Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025 Such a revocation would put at risk approximately 700 Somali nationals nationwide who had TPS status as of March this year, as most Somalis in the state are American nationals. Chad De Guzman, Time, 1 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for approximately

Word History

First Known Use

1742, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of approximately was in 1742

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Approximately.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/approximately. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

approximately

adverb
ap·​prox·​i·​mate·​ly
-mət-lē
: reasonably close to
approximately 5 miles
at approximately six o'clock

More from Merriam-Webster on approximately

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