approximation

C2+ Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /əˌprɑksɪˈmeɪʃən/ UK /əˌprɒksɪˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/ See IPA manual

Meanings

1

noun
a value or result that is close but not exact

Their estimate was only a rough approximation of the true cost.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · a value or result that is... estimate estimation guess reckoning appraisal approach

Opposites

exactness precision

Word family

Related forms approximate approximately proximity proximate

Etymology

From Latin approximationem, from approximare ('to come near'), from ad- ('to') and proximare ('to come near'), from proximus ('nearest'), superlative of prope ('near').

approximare Latin proximus Latin prope Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# approximation

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /əˌprɑksɪˈmeɪʃən/
**IPA (UK):** /əˌprɒksɪˈmeɪʃ(ə)n/

## Meanings
1. a value or result that is close but not exact

## Examples
- Their estimate was only a rough approximation of the true cost.

## Synonyms
- estimate
- estimation
- guess
- reckoning
- appraisal
- approach

## Antonyms
- exactness
- precision

## Related Forms
- approximate
- approximately
- proximity
- proximate

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: approximare
- Root: proximus
- Root: prope

## Etymology
From Latin approximationem, from approximare ('to come near'), from ad- ('to') and proximare ('to come near'), from proximus ('nearest'), superlative of prope ('near').

## AI Etymology
Approximation is from Latin approximationem, from approximare ('to come near'), from ad- ('to') and proximare ('to come near'), from proximus ('nearest'), superlative of prope ('near'). Important recorded forms include approximare (Latin), proximus (Latin), and prope (Latin). The current sense covers a value or result that is close but not exact. The wider family includes related words such as approximate, approximately, proximity, and proximate.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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