ap‧prox‧i‧mate 1 S3 W3 AC / əprɒksəmət, əprɒksɪmət $ əprɑk- / 形容词
an approximate number, amount, or time is close to the exact number, amount etc, but could be a little bit more or less than it 同义词 rough 反义词 exact :
What is the approximate number of students in each class?
These percentages are only approximate.
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In everyday English, people usually say rough rather than approximate :
Can you give me a rough idea of how much it would cost?
THESAURUS
approximately more or less than a number or amount – used especially in technical or scientific contexts : The company had total revenues of approximately $2 million. | The disease affects approximately 10% of the adult population.
about more or less than a number or amount. ‘About’ is the usual word to use in everyday English : It costs about $30 to get a visa. | There were about 50 people at the meeting.
roughly / rʌfli / about – used when you are trying to give someone a general idea of the size, amount, or number of something : The two countries are roughly the same size. | Roughly how many miles do you travel a year?
around about a number or time – used when you are guessing : I’ll be there around 5 o’clock. | The BBC broadcasts around 2,000 radio dramas every year.
somewhere/something in the region of formal about – used with very large numbers or amounts : Last year he earned something in the region of $60 million. | It costs somewhere in the region of £100,000 to train a new doctor.
or so informal about – used after a period of time, a number, or an amount : The journey takes an hour or so.
circa / sɜkə $ sɜr- / formal about – used with dates a long time ago in the past : The house was built circa 1530.
or more used after a number or amount, when the total may be a lot more : A thirty-second commercial can cost £60,000 or more.
upwards of more than a number or amount : The aircraft can carry upwards of 400 passengers.
— approximately 副词 :
The plane will be landing in approximately 20 minutes.
How much do you think it will cost, approximately?