APPROXIMATE /əˈprɒksɪmət/ (adj).

# ​Almost correct or accurate, but not completely so

An approximate number/total/cost.

The cost given is only approximate.

Use these figures as an approximate guide in your calculations.

Construction was completed at an approximate cost of $4.1 million.

APPROXIMATELY /əˈprɒksɪmətli/ (adv).

# Used to show that something is almost, but not completely, accurate or correct.

The journey took approximately seven hours.

The two buildings were approximately equal in size.

ROUGHLY /ˈrʌfli/ (adv).

# Approximately but not exactly.

Sales are up by roughly 10 per cent.

We live roughly halfway between here and the coast.

They all left at roughly the same time.

Roughly speaking, we receive about fifty letters a week on the subject.

>>> See related entries: Physics; Approximate; Attitude;

AROUND /əˈraʊnd/ (adv).

# Approximately.

He arrived around five o'clock.

ESTIMATE /ˈestɪmeɪt/

# To form an idea of the cost, size, value etc. of something, but without calculating it exactly.

Estimate the cost/value/number of something: The satellite will cost an estimated £400 million.

Estimate something at something: Police estimated the crowd at 30,000.

Estimate something from something: All variables can be estimated from the data.

Estimate something as something: The number of breeding pairs was estimated as the number of pairs building nests.

Estimate something to do something: The deal is estimated to be worth around $1.5 million.

Estimate (that)…: We estimated (that) it would cost about €5 000.

It is estimated (that)…: It is estimated (that) the project will last four years.

Estimate how many, large, etc…: It is hard to estimate how many children suffer from dyslexia.

GAUGE /ɡeɪdʒ/ (v):

# to calculate something approximately.

gauge something We were able to gauge the strength of the wind from the movement of the trees.

It is impossible to gauge the extent of the damage.

gauge how, what, etc… It is difficult to gauge how much fuel is needed.