How to pronounce approximate
Say it like uh-PRAHK-suh-mut. Approximate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRAHK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce approximate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- PRAHK
- suh
- mut
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Approximate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PRAHKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- suhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- mutKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of approximate
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: uh-PROK-sih-mayt.
What does approximate mean?
- be close or similar“Her results approximate my own”
- judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time)“I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds”
- not quite exact or correct“the approximate time was 10 o'clock”“a rough guess”
- very close in resemblance“sketched in an approximate likeness”“a near likeness”
- located close together“with heads close together”“approximate leaves grow together but are not united”
Where does approximate come from?
From Middle English approximat(e) (“close, near (to); similar; intimate”, also used as the past participle of approximaten), from Latin approximātus, the perfect passive participle of approximō (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), further
Questions about saying approximate
How do you pronounce approximate?
Say uh-PRAHK-suh-mut. The American pronunciation is /əˈprɑksəmət/. In British English it is /əˈprɒksɪˌmeɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in approximate?
Approximate has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PRAHK). Broken into parts: uh · PRAHK · suh · mut.
Is approximate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /əˈprɒksɪˌmeɪt/ (uh-PROK-sih-mayt).