2ap·prox·i·mate 
/əˈprɑ:ksəˌmeɪt/ verb
ap·prox·i·mates; ap·prox·i·mat·ed; ap·prox·i·mat·ing /əˈprɑ:ksəˌmeɪt/ verb 1 a : to be very similar to but not exactly like (something) [+ obj] ▪ I've finally found a vegetarian burger that approximates the taste of real beef. ▪ The colors in the pictures can only approximate the real thing. [no obj] (chiefly Brit) — + to ▪ The colors in the pictures can only approximate to the real thing.
b [+ obj] : to do or make a thing that is very similar to but not exactly like (something)
▪ an Australian who can approximate a strong New York City accent 2 [+ obj] : to calculate the almost exact value or position of (something)
▪ Students learned to approximate [=estimate] the distance between the Earth and the planets.
b [+ obj] : to do or make a thing that is very similar to but not exactly like (something)
▪ an Australian who can approximate a strong New York City accent
▪ Students learned to approximate [=estimate] the distance between the Earth and the planets.
