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Approximate vs Prediction - What's the difference?

approximate | prediction |

As an adjective approximate

is approaching; proximate; nearly resembling.

As a verb approximate

is to carry or advance near; to cause to approach.

As a noun prediction is

prediction (act of predicting).

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

    prediction

    English

    (wikipedia prediction)

    Alternative forms

    * (archaic)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A statement of what will happen in the future.
    • "It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future." (in translation from Danish)

    Synonyms

    * (statement about the future) forecast, halseny, prognosis, prognostication