First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
1approximate
adjective ap·prox·i·mate \ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət\
: almost correct or exact : close in value or amount but not precise
Full Definition of APPROXIMATE
1
: located close together <approximate leaves>
2
: nearly correct or exact <an approximate solution>
— ap·prox·i·mate·ly adverb
See approximate defined for English-language learners
See approximate defined for kids
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Origin of APPROXIMATE
Late Latin approximatus, past participle of approximare to come near, from Latin ad- + proximare to come near — more at proximate
Related to APPROXIMATE
- Synonyms
- almost, comparative, near, relative
- Antonyms
- absolute, complete, downright, out-and-out, outright, perfect, pure, unqualified
2approximate
verb ap·prox·i·mate \-ˌmāt\
: to be very similar to but not exactly like (something) ( chiefly Brit )
: to do or make a thing that is very similar to but not exactly like (something)
: to calculate the almost exact value or position of (something)
ap·prox·i·mat·edap·prox·i·mat·ing
Full Definition of APPROXIMATE
transitive verb
1
a : to bring near or close b : to bring (cut edges of tissue) together
2
: to come near to or be close to in position, value, or characteristics <a child tries to approximate his parents' speech>
intransitive verb
: to come close —usually used with to
See approximate defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of APPROXIMATE
15th century
Related to APPROXIMATE
- Synonyms
- approach, compare (with), measure up (to), stack up (against or with), hold a candle to
Rhymes with APPROXIMATE
abbreviate, abominate, accelerate, accentuate, accommodate, acculturate, accumulate, adjudicate, adulterate, affiliate, agglomerate, alienate, alleviate, alliterate, amalgamate, ameliorate, amyl nitrate, annihilate, annunciate, anticipate, apostolate, appreciate, appropriate, arpeggiate, articulate, asphyxiate, assassinate, asseverate, assimilate, associate, at any rate, attenuate, authenticate, barbiturate, bicarbonate, calumniate, capacitate, capitulate, catholicate, certificate, coagulate, coelenterate, collaborate, commemorate, commiserate, communicate, compassionate, concatenate, conciliate, confabulate, confederate, conglomerate, congratulate, consolidate, contaminate, cooperate, coordinate, corroborate, deactivate, debilitate, decapitate, decelerate, decerebrate, deconcentrate, deconsecrate, decorticate, decrepitate, de-escalate, defibrinate, defoliate, degenerate, deliberate, delineate, demodulate, denominate, depopulate, depreciate, deracinate, deregulate, desegregate, desiderate, detoxicate, devaluate, diaconate, dilapidate, discriminate, disintegrate, disseminate, dissimulate, dissociate, domesticate, effectuate, ejaculate, elaborate, electroplate, eliminate, elucidate, emaciate, emancipate, emasculate, encapsulate, enumerate, enunciate, episcopate, equivocate, eradicate, etiolate, evacuate, evaluate, evaporate, eventuate, eviscerate, exacerbate, exaggerate, exasperate, excited state, excogitate, excoriate, exfoliate, exhilarate, exonerate, expatiate, expatriate, expectorate, expostulate, expropriate, extenuate, exterminate, extrapolate, facilitate, felicitate, fish or cut bait, garrison state, gesticulate, habilitate, habituate, hallucinate, humiliate, hydrogenate, hypothecate, illuminate, impersonate, inactivate, inaugurate, incarcerate, incinerate, incorporate, incriminate, indoctrinate, inebriate, infatuate, infuriate, ingratiate, ingurgitate, initiate, inoculate, inseminate, insinuate, instantiate, intercalate, interpolate, interrelate, interrogate, intimidate, intoxicate, invalidate, investigate, invigorate, irradiate, Italianate, Korea Strait, lanceolate, legitimate, luxuriate, mandarinate, manipulate, matriarchate, matriculate, Merthiolate, necessitate, negotiate, noncandidate, obliterate, officiate, Orange Free State, orientate, originate, oxygenate, participate, particulate, patriarchate, patriciate, perambulate, peregrinate, perpetuate, pontificate, precipitate, predestinate, predominate, prefabricate, premeditate, preponderate, prevaricate, procrastinate, prognosticate, proliferate, propitiate, proportionate, quadruplicate, quintuplicate, reciprocate, recriminate, recuperate, redecorate, reduplicate, reeducate, refrigerate, regenerate, regurgitate, reincarnate, reintegrate, reiterate, rejuvenate, remunerate, repatriate, repudiate, resuscitate, retaliate, reticulate, revaluate, reverberate, scholasticate, second estate, self-flagellate, self-immolate, self-pollinate, seventy-eight, sextuplicate, Singapore Strait, sophisticate, subordinate, substantiate, syllabicate, tergiversate, transliterate, triangulate, vanity plate, variegate, vaticinate, vituperate, vociferate
APPROXIMATE Defined for Kids
1approximate
adjective ap·prox·i·mate \ə-ˈpräk-sə-mət\
Definition of APPROXIMATE for Kids
: nearly correct or exact <the approximate cost>
— ap·prox·i·mate·ly adverb
2approximate
verb ap·prox·i·mate \ə-ˈpräk-sə-ˌmāt\
ap·prox·i·mat·edap·prox·i·mat·ing
Definition of APPROXIMATE for Kids
: to come near in position, value, or characteristics : approach <approximating the distance> <He tried to approximate the singer's style.>
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