Approximation refers to an estimation or close resemblance to something, rather than an exact replica. It denotes a value, result, or description that is near enough for practical purposes, often based on simplifying assumptions or calculations. In usage, it highlights the balance between accuracy and feasibility in problems, models, or judgments.
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"The scientist provided an approximation of the orbit because the exact calculation would take too long."
"We used an approximation to speed up the simulation without significantly impacting the outcome."
"Her speech included an approximation of the local accent, helpful for teaching pronunciation."
"The architect offered an approximate bill of quantities, leaving some details to be finalized later."
Approximation comes from late Latin approximation-, approximatio, from approximare ‘to approach,’ from ad- ‘toward’ + proximus ‘nearest, nearest’ (from prope ‘near’). The sense evolved in English from the mathematical and philosophical use of approaching a limit or a value to the more general sense of an estimate close to something. The term first appeared in scientific and mathematical writing in the 15th–17th centuries as scholars described methods that yield results close to true values but not exact. Over time, approximation broadened to everyday language, capturing any near-accurate representation, resemblance, or surrogate that is “good enough” for practical purposes. In modern usage, its connotations include both quantitative proximity (numerical approximation) and qualitative resemblance (an approximate depiction). In mathematics and science, it especially signals reliability within tolerance ranges, while in colloquial use it might imply a rough, not perfectly precise figure or interpretation.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "approximation" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "approximation"
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US: /əˌprɑːk.sɪˈmeɪ.ʃən/; UK: /ˌæprɒk.sɪˈmeɪ.ʃən/; AU: /ˌæprɒk.sɪˈmeɪ.ʃən/. Stress falls on the third syllable: -mi- in meɪ-ʃən, with secondary stress on the initial syllable cluster depending on dialect. Start with a weak schwa in the first syllable, then a short /ɒ/ or /ɑː/ in the second, then /ˈmeɪ/ Stress lands on the “-mā-” portion in most dialects. Mouth positions: lips relaxed for /ə/, tongue slightly raised for /ɹ/ or /ɹ/ in US, /ɪ/ in 2nd syllable if you use /sɪ/, and rounded lips for /eɪ/ in /meɪ/. Audio references: consult Cambridge/Forvo pronunciation; listen for the rhythm: unaccented-unstressed-unstressed-stressed-unstressed in natural speech.
Two common errors: 1) Misplacing the primary stress on the wrong syllable, often stressing the first or second syllable instead of the third; rehearse by tapping the rhythm: u-LI- mi-ˈteɪ-ʃən. 2) Dropping the /ɹ/ or making it too syllabic in US, producing /æprɒk.sɪˈmeɪ.ʃən/ vs a clearer /əˌprɒk.sɪˈmeɪ.ʃən/. Practice by isolating the /ə/ then the /ɹ/ cluster, then the /meɪ/ syllable with proper lip rounding for /eɪ/.
US tends toward /əˌprɑːk.sɪˈmeɪ.ʃən/ with a rhotic /ɹ/ and a flat /ɑː/ in the second syllable; UK often shows /ˌæprɒk.sɪˈmeɪ.ʃən/ with less rhoticity and a shorter /ɒ/; AU typically mirrors UK but with slightly broader vowels and sometimes a more centralized /ə/ in the first syllable. Main differences: rhoticity (US rhotic, UK/AU less pronounced /r/ in non-rhotic equivalents), vowel quality in the second syllable /ɒ/ or /ɪ/ depending on dialect, and the /eɪ/ in /meɪ/.
The difficulty lies in chaining a multi-syllabic word with a mid-stress on the third syllable, plus an elongated /eɪ/ in -meɪ- and a subtle /ʃən/ ending. The sequence /k.sɪˈmeɪ.ʃən/ requires precise vowel shifts and a smooth consonant cluster at the end; keeping the /ə/ in the first syllable light while delivering the /ˈmeɪ/ syllable crisply is challenging for non-native speakers.
A unique feature is the strong reduction of the first syllable to schwa /ə/ in many dialects, followed by a polyphonic inflected /ˌprɒk/ or /ˌprɑːk/ depending on accent. The tense diphthong in /meɪ/ is a telltale marker, as it signals the shift from a lighter first two syllables into a clearly articulated –meɪ- portion, helping listeners identify the word even when spoken rapidly.
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