English · Word Candidate

approximate

/əˈpɹɒk.sɪ.mət/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: approximates · approximating · approximated

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Approaching; proximate; nearly resembling.

Adjective

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Nearing correctness; nearly exact; not perfectly accurate.

Adjective

approximate results or values

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To estimate.

Verb

I approximated the value of pi by taking 22 divided by 7.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

To come near to; to approach.

Verb

When you follow two separate chains of thought, Watson, you will find some point of intersection which should approximate to the truth.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “approximate” mean?

Approaching; proximate; nearly resembling.

Is “approximate” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.