approximately

The word “approximately” means roughly; close to a particular amount or figure, but not exact. In plain terms, used before a number to mean "about" or "roughly.".

“Approximately” is pronounced uh-PROK-sih-muht-lee (/əˈpɹɑk.sɪ.mət.li/ in IPA).

Here is “approximately” used in a sentence: “The journey takes approximately three hours.”

The opposite of “approximately” — its antonyms — is exactly.

“Approximately” is an adverb.

“Approximately” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

Approximately signals a rough figure that is close but not precise — 'approximately 50 people.' Exactly signals a confirmed, precise figure with no rounding — 'exactly 50 people.' They are opposites in precision: approximately leaves room for a margin of error, while exactly rules that margin out entirely.

Both mean roughly, and in everyday use they are interchangeable — 'about ten' and 'approximately ten' carry the same idea. The real difference is tone: 'approximately' is more formal and common in writing, reports, and science, while 'about' is more casual and common in ordinary speech.

The symbol for approximately is ≈, two wavy lines, used in maths and science to show that two values are nearly but not exactly equal — for example, π ≈ 3.14. A single tilde (~) placed before a number is also used informally to mean 'around' or 'roughly.'

Common alternatives include 'roughly,' 'about,' 'around,' 'nearly,' 'close to,' and 'in the region of.' The phrase 'give or take' works too, and 'more or less' fits many sentences. Each one softens a figure to show it is an estimate rather than a precise, verified count.