Approximate

To estimate or calculate something with a degree of accuracy, though not necessarily exact. It involves making an educated guess or providing a value that is close to the real or desired result. The term can apply to numbers, measurements, or other quantities. The level of acceptable accuracy can vary based on the context or the precision required. Approximating often involves simplification to make calculations or estimations feasible.

Approximate meaning with examples

• The surveyor needed to approximate the height of the building using a trigonometric formula because a direct measurement was impossible. The team considered several angles and distances before arriving at their approximation. The calculation provided a useful, though inexact, estimate.
• The chef was asked to approximate the ingredients of the secret recipe after tasting the dish. After several tries and taste tests he formulated an approximate list of ingredients, the correct proportions may never be known, and was not critical to the experiment.
• The historian aimed to approximate the population of the city in the year 1700 by studying census data and population growth models. Though the figures were historical approximations based on incomplete sources, they revealed some insights.
• The artist wanted to approximate the feel of a Monet painting in their own work. They studied Monet's brushstrokes, color palette and techniques to develop a painting of a similar aesthetic, though exact replication was not the goal.