When discussing figures that aren’t exact, or when making estimates, it’s crucial to convey that the numbers are not precise. This is where the word “approximately” comes into play, along with its various synonyms. These words are especially useful in writing and conversation when precision is not the goal, but a ballpark figure is. In this blog post, we explore 20 different ways to express “approximately,” each with its meaning and a straightforward example to help you use them correctly and with ease.
Ways to Say Approximately
1. Roughly
Meaning: Close to the number but not exact.
Example: Roughly 200 people attended.
2. About
Meaning: Near or close to a figure.
Example: It costs about $50.
3. Around
Meaning: In the vicinity of a number.
Example: There were around 30 guests.
4. Close to
Meaning: Almost at a number.
Example: We have close to 100 chairs.
5. Nearly
Meaning: Very close to a number but slightly less.
Example: Nearly 10 students were late.
6. More or less
Meaning: Slightly more or slightly less than a number.
Example: More or less 15 people came.
7. Just over/under
Meaning: Slightly higher or lower than a number.
Example: Just over 50 cars were sold.
8. Almost
Meaning: Not quite but very close to.
Example: Almost everyone agrees.
9. Circa
Meaning: Used with dates meaning around that time.
Example: Circa 1920s styles are back.
10. Rough estimate
Meaning: A guess that is not exact.
Example: A rough estimate would be 300.
11. Somewhere around
Meaning: In the general area of a number.
Example: Somewhere around 40 people showed up.
12. Plus-minus
Meaning: Could be slightly more or less.
Example: Plus-minus three participants.
13. In the neighborhood of
Meaning: Similar to ‘around’ or ‘about.’
Example: It’s in the neighborhood of $200.
14. In the ballpark of
Meaning: Roughly in the range of a certain number.
Example: In the ballpark of 500 viewers.
15. Or so
Meaning: Approximately, give or take a few.
Example: 20 minutes or so.
16. Thereabouts
Meaning: Around that number or time.
Example: 100 pages thereabouts.
17. On the order of
Meaning: Similar to ‘in the range of.’
Example: On the order of $1000.
18. Thereabout
Meaning: Similar to ‘thereabouts,’ indicating approximation.
Example: We’ll need 15 volunteers thereabout.
19. Something like
Meaning: Similar to an approximate amount.
Example: It was something like an epic journey.
20. Give or take
Meaning: Could be a little more or less than the stated number.
Example: It’s 50 miles, give or take.
