Approximate
/əˈprɒk.sɪ.mət/noun
To estimate or come near to something; close but not exact.
Did you know?“Approximate” comes from Latin roots meaning “toward” and “nearest,” so its original energy was literally about *moving up close* rather than being exact.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*per-
“forward, through, in front of”
Latin
Latin
pro
“before, in front of, toward”
Latin
Latin
proximus
“very near, nearest”
Late Latin
Latin
approximare
“to come near, approach”
Middle English
English
approximate
“to come near; to make near or similar”
Modern English
English
approximate
“to estimate or come close to a value or description”
Explore more surprising origins