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Approximate vs Forecast - What's the difference?

approximate | forecast |

As verbs the difference between approximate and forecast

is that approximate is to carry or advance near; to cause to approach while forecast is to estimate how something will be in the future.

As an adjective approximate

is approaching; proximate; nearly resembling.

As a noun forecast is

an estimation of a future condition.

approximate

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Approaching; proximate; nearly resembling.
  • Near correctness; nearly exact; not perfectly accurate.
  • Approximate results or values.
    To help carry out its mission, NASA's Genesis spacecraft has on board an ion monitor to record the speed, density, temperature and approximate composition of the solar wind ions.

    Antonyms

    * exact, precise

    Derived terms

    () * approximately * approximation * approximative

    Verb

    (approximat)
  • To carry or advance near; to cause to approach.
  • To approximate the inequality of riches to the level of nature. --Burke.
  • To come near to; to approach.
  • The telescope approximates perfection. --J. Morse.
  • To estimate.
  • Quotations

    When you follow two separate chains of thought, Watson, you will find some point of intersection which should approximate to the truth.
    — Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in The Disappearance of Lady Frances Carfax

    forecast

    Verb

  • To estimate how something will be in the future.
  • to forecast the weather
    to forecast a storm
  • (obsolete) To contrive or plan beforehand.
  • * Milton
  • If it happen as I did forecast .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • An estimation of a future condition.
  • A prediction of the weather.
  • :* What's the forecast for tomorrow?