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

• roughly
• about
• around

Examples of approximately in a Sentence

it takes approximately three hours to drive to Dallas

Recent Examples on the Web

From this research, Motiva created its unique surface, which features depressions (approximately 16,000 nanometers in depth) that are the smallest available, according to a study published in the journal Case Reports in Plastic Surgery & Hand Surgery. —Megan McIntyre, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

The recall includes both 4-liter (approximately $30) and 10-liter (approximately $60) models in various colors (pink, white, aqua, hot pink), manufactured before August 2024. —Joel Thayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Sep. 2025

Remember, 10 degrees is approximately the same width as your clenched fist when held out against the night sky! —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 15 Sep. 2025

Patton's son reportedly found him being attacked by a yearling male black bear weighing approximately 70 pounds. —Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 15 Sep. 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