estimate

Everyday

1. To estimate is to make a careful guess about an amount, size, cost or time, without counting or measuring exactly. tree →
2. An estimate is the number or answer you get by estimating. tree →

In the lessons

In school maths pupils estimate before calculating, by rounding, to check whether an answer is sensible; in science they estimate lengths and numbers; in everyday life people estimate time, cost and distance. Phrases: «estimate the answer», «a rough estimate», «a good estimate», «estimate by rounding».

Examples

• Estimate how many sweets are in the jar. tree →
• 49 + 52 is about 100, so that is a good estimate. tree →
• My estimate was 30, and the real number was 28. tree →
• Builders give an estimate of the cost before they start. tree →
• Estimate the length of the table, then measure it. tree →
• We estimated the trip would take an hour. tree →
• A rough estimate is fine; you don't need the exact number. tree →
• The builder and carpenter made an estimate that the new house would cost ten hundred and twenty dollars to build. tree →

Note

The verb ends in «-mate» (rhymes with «gate»); the noun ends in «-mit». An estimate is not a wild guess: it uses known facts and rounding. In maths, an estimate is close to the true answer but not exact; use it to check your working.

In Jewish tradition

In school maths pupils estimate before calculating, by rounding, to check whether an answer is sensible; in science they estimate lengths and numbers; in everyday life people estimate time, cost and distance. Phrases: «estimate the answer», «a rough estimate», «a good estimate», «estimate by rounding».

Note

The verb ends in «-mate» (rhymes with «gate»); the noun ends in «-mit». An estimate is not a wild guess: it uses known facts and rounding. In maths, an estimate is close to the true answer but not exact; use it to check your working.