estimate

1 of 2

verb

es·​ti·​mate ˈe-stə-ˌmāt 

estimated; estimating

transitive verb

1

a

: to judge tentatively or approximately the value, worth, or significance of

b

: to determine roughly the size, extent, or nature of

c

: to produce a statement of the approximate cost of

2

: judge, conclude

3

archaic

a

: esteem

b

: appraise

estimative

ˈe-stə-ˌmā-tiv 

adjective

estimate

2 of 2

noun

es·​ti·​mate ˈe-stə-mət 

1

a

: a rough or approximate calculation

b

: a numerical value obtained from a statistical sample and assigned to a population parameter

2

: a statement of the cost of work to be done

3

: an opinion or judgment of the nature, character, or quality of a person or thing

had a high estimate of his abilities

4

: the act of appraising or valuing : calculation

Synonyms

Verb

• assess
• value
• rate

Noun

• estimation
• assessment
• appraisal
• evaluation
• appraisement
• calculation

Choose the Right Synonym for estimate

estimate, appraise, evaluate, value, rate, assess mean to judge something with respect to its worth or significance.

estimate implies a judgment, considered or casual, that precedes or takes the place of actual measuring or counting or testing out.

estimated the crowd at two hundred

appraise commonly implies the fixing by an expert of the monetary worth of a thing, but it may be used of any critical judgment.

having their house appraised

evaluate suggests an attempt to determine relative or intrinsic worth in terms other than monetary.

evaluate a student's work

value equals appraise but without implying expertness of judgment.

a watercolor valued by the donor at $500

rate adds to estimate the notion of placing a thing according to a scale of values.

a highly rated restaurant

assess implies a critical appraisal for the purpose of understanding or interpreting, or as a guide in taking action.

officials are trying to assess the damage

Examples of estimate in a Sentence

Verb

They estimated the distance at about three miles.

We need to estimate how much paint we'll need for the job.

The cost of the project has been estimated at about 10 million dollars.

He estimates that current oil reserves are 20 percent lower than they were a year ago.

Noun

According to government estimates, current oil reserves are 10 percent lower than they were a year ago.

One conservative estimate is that he stole five million dollars.

We solicited several estimates for the project.

The contractor's estimate for the job seemed high.

The company's products are, by general estimate, poorly made.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Her bags are kept behind glass and her collection includes what's called a Himalayan diamond Birkin, which is estimated to be worth as much as $500,000. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

First seen barreling toward the camera at speeds only the most brazen digital effects house could estimate, this mutt runs like the wind and pounces like an anvil with hairy legs and a neat red cape. —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025

Noun

That was below the Dow Jones estimate of 235,000 and followed a stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs report released last week. —Lisa Kailai Han,sawdah Bhaimiya, CNBC, 10 July 2025

Their portfolio also includes the venerable Slieve Donard, long the must-stay spot for golfers visiting Northern Ireland’s Royal County Down, by many estimates, the world’s greatest golf course period. —Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin aestimatus, past participle of aestimare to value, estimate

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1532, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Noun

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Phrases Containing estimate

• conservative estimate
• point estimate
• re-estimate

Kids Definition

estimate

1 of 2 verb

es·​ti·​mate ˈes-tə-ˌmāt 

estimated; estimating

1

: to judge the approximate value, size, or cost of on the basis of experience or observation rather than actual measurement

estimate the distance

estimate a painting job

2

: conclude sense 2, determine

estimated that the fire started in the kitchen

estimator

-ˌmāt-ər

noun

estimate

2 of 2 noun

es·​ti·​mate ˈes-tə-mət 

1

: the act of estimating

2

: an opinion or judgment of the nature, character, or quality of a thing

3

: a rough or approximate calculation

4

: a statement by a contractor of the probable cost for a job