(of quantities) imprecise but fairly close to correct
"lasted approximately an hour"
"in just about a minute"
"he's about 30 years old"
"I've had about all I can stand"
"we meet about once a month"
"some forty people came"
"weighs around a hundred pounds"
"roughly $3,000"
"holds 3 gallons, more or less"
"20 or so people were at the party"
Imprecise but close to in quantity or amount.
"We need approximately fifty guests for the party, so please order that many plates just in case."
In plain English: Approximately means about or roughly when you are giving an estimate instead of an exact number.
"The meeting will start at approximately 3 p.m."
Usage: Use approximately to indicate that a number or measurement is an estimate rather than an exact figure, often placing it before the value you are approximating. It signals to your listener that while the specific digit may vary slightly, the overall quantity remains accurate enough for the conversation.
The word approximately is formed by adding the suffix -ly to the adjective approximate. It entered English as an adverb meaning roughly or nearly correct.