approximate

Universal Words adjective, verb adjective (abbreviation approx) almost correct or accurate, but not completely so; not exact: an approximate number / total / cost * The cost given is only approximate. * Use these figures as an approximate guide in your calculations. approximately adverb: The journey took approximately seven hours. * The two buildings were approximately equal in size. -< ABOUT verb (written) 1 ~ (to) sth to be similar or close to sth in nature, quality, amount, etc., but not exactly the same: [VN] The animals were reared in conditions which approximated the wild as closely as possible. * The total cost will approximate ｣15 billion. * [V] His story approximates to the facts that we already know. 2 [VN] to calculate or estimate sth fairly accurately: a formula for approximating the weight of a horse