Dictionary Entry
approximate
Part of SpeechverbPronunciation/uh-prok-suh-mayt/Word FrequencyCommon (4.34)Curriculum FrequencyLess common (1)To estimate.
In a Sentence
“Writers often choose approximate when discussing complex ideas.”
Published Usage Examples
“The term approximate is used above by reason of the fact that no sharps or flats were written until long after this period, but it is thought that they were occasionally interpolated by the singers quite a long time before it became customary to put them into the notation.”
“A couple of weeks ago, Channel 4's Time Team archaeology programme was investigating a Roman mansio, which they described as the approximate equivalent of a motel and wayside inn, in the South of England.”
This entry also appears in ReadingWillow Year 11 word lists, so students can move between the dictionary and year-level study sets.
Origin
From Latin 'approximare', meaning 'to come near to'.
Common Phrases
Poetry examples for “approximate”
Excerpts from the ReadingWillow English Library collection.
Poetry examples are still being gathered for this entry. They will appear here once matching poems are available in the library.