approximately
释义
Used to show that a number, amount, or time is close to but not exactly a particular value; roughly, about.
用于表示一个数字、数量或时间接近但不正好是某个值；大约，大致。
词根拆分
词根派生ap-（ad-，朝）+ proxim（最近的）+ -ate（动/形）+ -ly（副词）。「approximate」是把数值带到接近真值却不正好命中；副词「approximately」标记这个「近而不准」的状态，所以它修饰估计的数字和时间。
词根 prox 还连着 3 个词使用指南
approximately 是 about 更正式、更书面的兄弟。口语和随意写作里「about three hours」更自然；「approximately three hours」适合报告、科学、财经场景。它几乎总是直接放在数字或数量前；很少单独使用「approximately」。
例句
- 1.
The journey takes approximately three hours by train, depending on connections.
这趟旅程坐火车大约需要三个小时，取决于换乘情况。
- 2.
Approximately 200 people attended the conference this year.
今年大约有 200 人参加了这次会议。
- 3.
The repair will cost approximately $500, but the final figure may vary.
这次维修大约花费 500 美元，但最终数字可能有出入。
易混词辨析
approximately、roughly、around——都表「大约某个数」。approximately 最正式、听上去最精确（报告、数据）；roughly 更随意、容许误差更大（「roughly half」）；around/about 最口语（「around 5 o'clock」）。想显得严谨、有分寸时用 approximately。