Estimate vs Approximate - What's the difference?

As verbs the difference between estimate and approximate

is that estimate is to calculate roughly, often from imperfect data while approximate is to carry or advance near; to cause to approach.

As a noun estimate

is a rough calculation or guess.

As an adjective approximate is

approaching; proximate; nearly resembling.

estimate

English

Alternative forms

* (archaic)

Noun

(en noun)

A rough calculation or guess.

(construction and business) A document (or verbal notification) specifying how much a job will probably cost.

* {{quote-book, year=1928, author=Lawrence R. Bourne

, title=Well Tackled! , chapter=3 citation , passage=“They know our boats will stand up to their work,” said Willison, “and that counts for a good deal. A low estimate from us doesn't mean scamped work, but just that we want to keep the yard busy over a slack time.”}}

Synonyms

* estimation * appraisal

Derived terms

* ballpark estimate

Verb

To calculate roughly, often from imperfect data.

* {{quote-book, year=1965, author=Ian Hacking, title=Logic of Statistical Inference, passage=I estimate that I need 400 board feet of lumber to complete a job, and then order 350 because I do not want a surplus, or perhaps order 450 because I do not want to make any subsequent orders.

citation

* '>citation

To judge and form an opinion of the value of, from imperfect data.

* John Locke

It is by the weight of silver, and not the name of the piece, that men estimate commodities and exchange them.

* J. C. Shairp

It is always very difficult to estimate the age in which you are living.

Synonyms

* appraise * guess

Derived terms

* estimable * underestimate * overestimate

External links

* * *

Anagrams

* English heteronyms English reporting verbs ----

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