Approximates means comes close to or resembles something, typically approximately or nearly matching a target. In mathematics, it can indicate estimation or rounding to a nearby value. The word emphasizes proximity rather than exactness and is often used in formal discussion, analysis, or description of figures and results.
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"The new method approximates the exact solution but is much faster to compute."
"Her interpretation of the data approximates the observed trend, though there are small discrepancies."
"The machine’s readings approximates the true temperature after calibration."
"In the chart, the line approximates the expected growth curve for the population."
Approximates derives from the late Middle English approximat (from Latin approximatus, past participle of approximare ‘to approach, be near’), itself from ad- ‘to, toward’ + proximus ‘nearest, close’ (from proximus ‘nearest’). The suffix -ate adds the verb-forming sense of causing to be or to become, yielding ‘to cause to be near or close’ or ‘to approximate.’ The sense evolved from physical proximity to figurative closeness in value or degree. In the academic and technical lexicon, approximates gained traction in mathematics, statistics, engineering, and science to describe values that are not exact but suitably close for practical purposes. First known use in English traces to the 15th-16th centuries as approximat(e), with -e dropping over time and -es forming the third-person singular or plural present tense. Its usage broadened during the 19th and 20th centuries across disciplines, often paired with nouns like “solution,” “value,” or “measure.” Today, approximates regularly conveys estimation, rounding, or near-equality in a formal or analytic context.”,
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Words that rhyme with "approximates"
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- US/UK pronunciation is /əˈprɒk.sɪˌmeɪts/. The main stress falls on the second syllable: a-PROX-i-mates. Break it into four parts: /ə/ (uh), /ˈprɒk/ (prock), /ˈsɪ/ (si), /ˌmeɪts/ (-mayts). Ensure the /ɒ/ in ‘prox’ is open, and finish with a clear /eɪt/ in ‘mates’. For listening, try audio reference in dictionaries or pronunciation sites to hear the subtle vowel transitions.
Two common errors: 1) Flattening the stress so the second syllable doesn’t stand out; 2) Blurring the final -ates into a fed /z/ or /s/ sound. Correction: keep a distinct /ˈprɒk.sɪˌmeɪts/ with a clear secondary stress at /ˌmeɪts/ and pronounce /eɪ/ as a long vowel, not a diphthong reduced to /eɪ/ quickly. Practice by isolating the 'prox' chunk and then adding the 'i-mates' chunk slowly, then at natural speed.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial /ə/ (schwa) is common, but the /ɒ/ vowel in ‘prox’ is more open in UK/AU as /ɒ/ vs US /ɑ/ or /ɒ/. US may have a slightly tenser /ɒ/ and a lower /ə/ before /prɒk/. UK often uses a more clipped, non-rhotic vowel in certain positions, while AU tends toward a broader /ɒ/ with less rhoticity in non-rhotic speakers. The nucleus of ‘mates’ remains a clear /eɪ/ in all. Always stress the second syllable in all variants.
Key challenges include the multi-syllabic rhythm with a mid-word consonant cluster /prɒk/ and the triplet /ɪˌmeɪts/ where the /ɪ/ is short before the long /meɪts/. The dash of stress shift (secondary stress on the final syllable) can feel unfamiliar. Additionally, the final /eɪts/ can blur into /eɪz/ for some speakers. Focus on crisp consonants in ‘prox’ and a distinct long diphthong /eɪ/ in ‘mates’ to stabilize the whole word.
Yes. The word contains four phonemic blocks: a schwa initial, a stressed /prɒk/, a light /sɪ/ syllable, and the final /meɪts/ with a prominent long vowel. The unique aspect is the secondary stress on the final syllable, which is somewhat less common than primary stress words of similar length. Keeping the final /meɪts/ crisp and separating from /sɪ/ helps the four-syllable rhythm remain clear.
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