approximately B1 Topic:Describing Qualities US /əˈpɹɑk.sɪ.mət.li/ UK /əˈpɹɒk.sɪ.mət.li/ See IPA manual Freq #5707 Meanings 1 adv Used to show that a number or amount is close but not exact. The journey takes approximately two hours. Thesaurus Synonyms 1 adv · used to show that a number... aboutaroundroughlycirca ↔ Opposites exactly Etymology AI details From approximate + -ly. Topics Describing Qualities External links Google Images Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary # approximately **Type:** Word **Level:** B1 **Part of speech:** adv **IPA (US):** /əˈpɹɑk.sɪ.mət.li/ **IPA (UK):** /əˈpɹɒk.sɪ.mət.li/ **Frequency rank:** 5707 ## Meanings 1. Used to show that a number or amount is close but not exact. ## Examples - The journey takes approximately two hours. ## Antonyms - exactly ## Etymology From approximate + -ly. ## AI Etymology Approximately is from approximate plus -ly. The suffix -ly recasts approximate as an adverb: the lexical idea remains recognizable, but the word now describes manner, degree, or circumstance rather than naming the quality by itself. In use as an adverb, approximately denotes used to show that a number or amount is close but not exact. Typical contexts include “The journey takes approximately two hours”. The meaning stays close to the form: it applies the etymological material to used to show that a number or amount is close but not exact, keeping the visible parts legible in ordinary use. ## Topics - Describing Qualities markdown