approximately

Word family

ap·prox·i·mate·ly /əˈprɒksəmətli $ əˈprɑːk-/ W3 AWL adverbadv

more or less than a number or amount SYN roughly

The plane will be landing in approximately 20 minutes.

How much do you think it will cost, approximately?

THESAURUS

approximately more or less than a number or amount – used especially in technical or scientific contexts

The company had total revenues of approximately $2 million.

The disease affects approximately 10% of the adult population.

about more or less than a number or amount. ‘About’ is the usual word to use in everyday English

It costs about $30 to get a visa.

There were about 50 people at the meeting.

roughly /ˈrʌfli/ about – used when you are trying to give someone a general idea of the size, amount, or number of something

The two countries are roughly the same size.

Roughly how many miles do you travel a year?

around about a number or time – used when you are guessing

I’ll be there around 5 o’clock.

The BBC broadcasts around 2,000 radio dramas every year.

somewhere/something in the region of formal about – used with very large numbers or amounts

Last year he earned something in the region of $60 million.

It costs somewhere in the region of £100,000 to train a new doctor.

or so informal about – used after a period of time, a number, or an amount

The journey takes an hour or so.

circa /ˈsɜːkə $ ˈsɜːr-/ formal about – used with dates a long time ago in the past

The house was built circa 1530.

or more used after a number or amount, when the total may be a lot more

A thirty-second commercial can cost £60,000 or more.

upwards of more than a number or amount

The aircraft can carry upwards of 400 passengers.

Syllable