approximate

1 of 2

adjective

ap·​prox·​i·​mate ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət 

1

: nearly correct or exact : close in value or amount but not precise

an approximate solution

an approximate date

2

: located close together

approximate leaves

approximate

2 of 2

verb

ap·​prox·​i·​mate ə-ˈpräk-sə-ˌmāt 

approximated; approximating

transitive verb

1

: to come near to or be close to (something)

a reproduction that approximates the original

2

a

: to bring near or close

b

: to bring (cut edges of tissue) together

intransitive verb

chiefly British : to come close

—usually used with to

… the pigments on a palette can only approximate to the limitless range of colour in nature.

—The Illustrated Dictionary of Art Terms

Synonyms

Adjective

• relative

Verb

• reflect
• match
• measure up (to)
• compare (with)
• approach

Examples of approximate in a Sentence

Adjective

This is the approximate location of the ancient city.

Can you give me the approximate cost of the repair?

Verb

I've finally found a vegetarian burger that approximates the taste of real beef.

The colors in the pictures can only approximate the real thing.

an Australian who can approximate a strong New York City accent

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Target's corporate website doesn't list opening dates for the new stores, but does reveal the approximate size of each new location. —Chris Sims, The Courier-Journal, 14 July 2025

The Associated Press has assembled an approximate timeline of the events before, during and after the deadly flash flood from sources including state and local documents, social media posts, firsthand accounts and scanner traffic archived on Broadcastify. —Hannah Fingerhut, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025

Verb

That’s far too coarse to simulate the climate effect of individual clouds and trees, so modelers instead find mathematical shortcuts that approximate those effects. —Max G. Levy, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 June 2025

For Woodin, the dream is to build an inner model that truly approximates V and therefore includes all the large cardinals. —Gregory Barber, Quanta Magazine, 20 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

Late Latin approximatus, past participle of approximare to come near, from Latin ad- + proximare to come near — more at proximate

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for approximate

• proximate

Kids Definition

approximate

1 of 2 adjective

ap·​prox·​i·​mate ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət 

: nearly correct or exact

the approximate cost

approximate rhyme

approximate

2 of 2 verb

ap·​prox·​i·​mate ə-ˈpräk-sə-ˌmāt 

approximated; approximating

1

: to bring near or close

2

: to come near in position, value, or characteristics : approach

tried to approximate the singer's style

Medical Definition

approximate

1 of 2 adjective

ap·​prox·​i·​mate ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət 

: located close together

approximate

2 of 2 transitive verb

ap·​prox·​i·​mate -ˌmāt 

approximated; approximating

: to bring together

approximate cut edges of tissue

approximation

ə-ˌpräk-sə-ˈmā-shən 

noun