1. vt. & vi.近似，接近　 come near in amount, nature, etc.
2. vt.近似计算；概略估算　calculate or estimate sth fairly accurately;calculate sth in a way that is not exact

　～ cost　估计费用
　～ truth　近似事实
　～ the distance　估计距离
　～ closely　近似
　～ to　接近，近似，约计
　～ to one thousand　接近一千
　～ to the truth　接近事实

　His income approximated 8000 dollars a year.　他的年收入近8000美元。
　Student numbers this year are expected to approximate 5000.　今年的学生人数预计是5000人左右。
　The total cost will approximate 15 billion.　总费用将近150亿英镑。
　The crowd approximated 10,000.　人群接近一万人。
　John's record approximates the champion's.　约翰的成绩接近于冠军的纪录。
　The animals were reared in conditions which approximated the wild as closely as possible.　这些动物是在尽量近似自然的环境下饲养的。
　The color of these curtains approximates that of the rug.　这些窗帘的颜色与地毯的颜色接近。
　The student is then faced with a situation that closely approximates real life.　学生此时面临着一种与现实生活极其相似的情况。
　This timber approximates first-class standard, but it still has some defects.　这种木材差不多是头等材，但它还有些缺陷。
　Your account of what happened approximates the truth, but there are several small errors.　你对有关发生情况的叙述基本属实，不过其中有几点小差错。
　We approximated the distance as three miles.　我们粗略估计距离为三英里。
　The mechanic approximated the cost of a new engine for my car.　汽车修理工对于给我的汽车换装新引擎毛估了一个价钱。
　This flavour approximates what I remember.　这个味道基本上跟我记忆中的一样。

 ♣ approximate to　(v.+prep.)
　〈正〉接近，近似　 be like; come very near to sth
　〔说明〕 approximate to常不用于进行体和被动结构。
　The cost of the project will approximate to 10,000 pounds.　这项工程的成本约需一万英镑。
　Her income this year approximates to 5000 dollars.　她今年的收入近5000美元。
　It approximated in size to the toffee bars already being produced.　它的大小跟已在生产的条状太妃糖差不多。
　There was nothing which even approximated to "Art".　那根本没有一点可谈得上与“艺术”相近的东西。
　This month's results approximated to the average for this season.　这个月的业绩接近这个季度的平均值。
　Your story only approximates to the real facts.　你所说的仅仅是接近事实真相。
　What was said approximated to the facts but still left a great deal out.　所说的内容与事实接近，可是仍然漏了不少。
　His account of the incident approximates to that of the other witness.　他对事故的描述与其他目击者的大致相仿。
　Worsening social conditions approximate to those of the early thirties.　日趋恶化的社会情况与30年代早期的情况很相似。
　The newspaper reports of the discussion only roughly approximated to what was actually said.　报纸上只是粗略地报道了这次讨论的大概情况。
　Your latest design approximates much more closely to what I understand the building to be like.　你的最新设计与我所想的房子的模样接近得多了。

 ♣ approximate, approach
　参见approach条。

　大概的，大约的　nearly correct but not exact

　～ cost　约计成本
　～ estimate　概算
　～ figure　大概的数字
　～ length　近似长度
　～ number　约数
　～ percentage　近似百分数
　～ picture　近似图
　～ reading　近似读数
　～ time　大约时间
　～ total　概算总额
　～ value　近似值
　～ neighbour　隔壁邻居

　This will give you an approximate idea of the situation.　这将为你提供一个局势的概貌。
　Can you give me an approximate idea of what happened? 　你可以把大致情况跟我说一下吗?
　I can give you an approximate idea of where she lives.　我可以提供给你她住所的大致位置。
　Fifteen minutes is the approximate time for boiling potatoes.　大约15分钟可以煮熟土豆。
　The train's approximate time of arrival is 10:30.　列车到达时间大约在10:30左右。
　Her approximate age is thirty.　她约摸30岁光景。
　I can only give you an approximate figure.　我只能给你一个大概的数字。
　The approximate cost will be about 600.　费用大约为600美元。
　The approximate date of his departure is next month.　他大约在下个月动身。
　The approximate figure is 40, while the exact number is 38.　约数为40，而确数则为38。
　The approximate length of a metre is 40 inches; the exact length is 39.37 inches.　 1米的大约长度是40英寸，精确长度是39.37英寸。
　The approximate number of children in the school is three hundred.　这所学校学生的人数大约为300人。
　The builder gave an approximate cost for fixing the roof.　房屋修建商给修理房顶粗略地估计了一个价钱。
　Use these figures as an approximate guide in your calculations.　在你的计算中把这些数字作为近似参考数值。
　The Prime Minister has made a statement closely approximate to a falsehood.　首相发表了一项几近谎言的声明。
　It's very kind of you to lend me a sum of money approximate to what will be needed.　你真好，借给我一笔接近所需数目的钱。
　Our calculation was only approximate.　我们的计算只是粗略的。
　His statement is approximate to the truth.　他的陈述基本合乎事实。

　［同义词］ adj. close, comparable
　［反义词］ adj. exact, precise
　［词源］拉丁语approximatus（走近）