Words / B2

uh-PROKS-im-uh-t/əˈprɒksɪmət/

Approximate means close enough to be useful, but not exact — a rough figure you can work with. Exact and precise are the opposites; about and roughly are the everyday adverbs (approximately). Collocations: an approximate number / time / cost. As a verb, to approximate something is more technical: the model approximates real traffic.

Meaning

Almost correct, but not exact.

Examples

• “The approximate time is two hours.”
• “Give me an approximate figure; I do not need the pence.”
• “The approximate length of the course is twelve weeks.”

Good to know

an approximate number/cost. Adverb: approximately. Everyday: rough / about.

Near in meaning

rough

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