About vs. Approximately — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 15, 2024
"About" indicates general approximation or vicinity, often used in qualitative contexts, while "approximately" suggests a quantitative estimate close to an exact number.
Difference Between About and Approximately
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
About" is commonly used to describe something in general terms, suggesting a rough or approximate idea without the need for precision. Whereas "approximately" is used primarily in numeric contexts to indicate that a number is close to, but not exactly, a specific figure.
In everyday conversation, "about" is versatile, appearing in phrases like "about time" or "about ready," which do not necessarily involve numbers. On the other hand, "approximately" appears almost exclusively in discussions where numerical values are involved, such as measurements or statistics.
"About" can be used more flexibly in terms of placement within a sentence, adapting easily to different contexts. In contrast, "approximately" is typically used more formally and usually precedes a specific amount or number.
The usage of "about" can create a relaxed tone in narratives or explanations, suggesting a degree of uncertainty or flexibility. Conversely, "approximately" often introduces a sense of precision and is used where accuracy, though not exact, is important.
When discussing time, "about" might be used more colloquially (e.g., about five minutes ago), whereas "approximately" could be preferred in scientific or formal writing to imply a closer estimation to the actual time (e.g., the event occurred approximately 48 hours ago).
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Comparison Chart
Context Usage
General or broad
Numeric or specific
Connotation
Casual or vague
Formal or nearly precise
Common Phrases
About time, about ready
Approximately 10 people
Tone
Relaxed, flexible
Precise, somewhat strict
Example Placement
Flexible in sentence placement
Typically precedes numbers
Compare with Definitions
About
Concerning.
This book is about ancient Rome.
Approximately
Nearly exact.
The cost is approximately $200.
About
Indicating approximation.
There are about 20 students in the class.
Approximately
Used in statistical contexts.
Approximately 30% of the population.
About
Nearly.
The job is about done.
Approximately
In the vicinity of an exact figure.
She reads approximately one book a week.
About
Here and there.
Books scattered about the room.
Approximately
Indicating near precision in measurements.
The length is approximately 2 meters.
About
On every side.
Look about you.
Approximately
Close to a specific time or amount.
We will arrive at approximately 3 PM.
About
On the subject of; concerning
It's all about having fun
I was thinking about you
A book about ancient Greece
Approximately
Used to show that something is almost, but not completely, accurate or exact; roughly
A journey of approximately two hours
About
Used to indicate movement within a particular area
She looked about the room
Approximately
Almost exact or correct
The approximate time of the accident.
About
Used to express location in a particular place
Rugs were strewn about the hall
He produced a knife from somewhere about his person
Approximately
Very similar; closely resembling
Sketched an approximate likeness of the suspect.
About
Used to indicate movement within an area
Men were floundering about
Finding my way about
Approximately
(Botany) Close together but not united.
About
Used to express location in a particular place
There was a lot of flu about
Approximately
To come close to; be nearly the same as
This meat substitute approximates the real thing.
About
(used with a number or quantity) approximately
He's about 35
Reduced by about 5 per cent
Approximately
To bring near.
About
Approximately; nearly
The interview lasted about an hour.
Approximately
To bring together, as cut edges of tissue.
About
Almost
The job is about done.
Approximately
To come near or close, as in degree, nature, or quality.
About
To a reversed position or direction
Turn about and walk away slowly.
Approximately
Imprecise but close to in quantity or amount.
In every box of matches there are approximately 40 matchsticks.
Per 100
G of chocolate there is approximately 11.6
G of saturated fat.
...approximately 60 beats per minute.
About
In no particular direction
Wandering about with no place to go.
Approximately
With approximation; so as to approximate; nearly.
About
All around; on every side
Let's look about for help.
Approximately
(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
About
In the area or vicinity; near
Spoke to a few spectators standing about.
About
In succession; one after another
Turn about is fair play.
About
On the verge of doing something; presently going to do something. Used with the infinitive
The chorus is about to sing.
About
Usage Problem Used to show determination or intention in negative constructions with an infinitive
I am not about to concede the point.
About
On all sides of; surrounding
I found an English garden all about me.
About
In the vicinity of; around
Explored the rivers and streams about the estate.
About
Almost the same as; close to; near.
About
In reference to; relating to; concerned with
A book about snakes.
About
In the act or process of
While you're about it, please clean your room.
About
In the possession or innate character of
Keep your wits about you.
About
Moving here and there; astir
The patient is up and about.
About
Being in evidence or existence
Rumors are about concerning his resignation.
About
In a circle around; all round; on every side of; on the outside of.
The snake was coiled about his ankle.
About
Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
Rubbish was strewn about the place.
The children were running about the room.
He was well known about town.
About
Indicates that something will happen very soon; indicates a plan or intention to do something.
About
(with 'to' and verb infinitive) See about to.
About
On the point or verge of.
About
Concerning; with regard to; on account of; on the subject of; to affect.
He talked a lot about his childhood.
We must do something about this problem.
About
Concerned with; engaged in; intent on.
To be about one's business
About
Within or in the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place.
I can't find my reading glasses, but they must be somewhere about the house.
John's in the garden, probably somewhere about the woodshed.
About
On one's person; nearby the person.
I had no weapon about me but a stick.
About
(figurative) In or near, as in mental faculties or (literally) in the possession of; under the control of; at one's command; in one's makeup.
He has his wits about him.
There was an air of confidence about the woman.
About
On all sides; around.
I looked about at the scenery that surrounded me.
About
Here and there; around; in one place and another; up and down.
Bits of old machinery were lying about.
About
From one place or position to another in succession; indicating repeated movement or activity.
Walking about;
Rushing about;
Jumping about;
Thrashing about
About
Indicating unproductive or unstructured activity.
Messing about;
Fooling about;
Loafing about
About
Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence in quality, manner, degree, quantity, or time; almost.
It's about as cold as it was last winter.
He owes me about three hundred dollars.
Dinner's about ready.
I was so scared, I about fainted.
About
Near; in the vicinity.
About
To a reversed order; half round; facing in the opposite direction; from a contrary point of view.
To face about;
To turn oneself about
About
(nautical) To the opposite tack: see go about.
We went about and headed offshore.
About
In succession; one after another; in the course of events.
About
(archaic) In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; in circumference.
A mile about, and a third of a mile across
About
Moving around; astir.
Out and about;
Up and about
After my bout with Guillan-Barre Syndrome, it took me 6 months to be up and about again.
About
In existence; being in evidence; apparent.
This idea has been about for a while but has only recently become fashionable.
About
Near; in the vicinity or neighbourhood.
I had my keys just a minute ago, so they must be about somewhere.
Watch out, there's a thief about.
About
Around; all round; on every side of.
About
In the immediate neighborhood of; in contiguity or proximity to; near, as to place; by or on (one's person).
About
Over or upon different parts of; through or over in various directions; here and there in; to and fro in; throughout.
Lampoons . . . were handed about the coffeehouses.
Roving still about the world.
About
Near; not far from; - determining approximately time, size, quantity.
He went out about the third hour.
About
In concern with; engaged in; intent on.
I must be about my Father's business.
About
On the point or verge of; going; in act of.
Paul was now aboutto open his mouth.
About
Concerning; with regard to; on account of; touching.
She must have her way about Sarah.
About
On all sides; around.
'Tis time to look about.
About
In circuit; circularly; by a circuitous way; around the outside; as, a mile about, and a third of a mile across.
About
Here and there; around; in one place and another.
Wandering about from house to house.
About
Nearly; approximately; with close correspondence, in quality, manner, degree, etc.; as, about as cold; about as high; - also of quantity, number, time.
About
To a reserved position; half round; in the opposite direction; on the opposite tack; as, to face about; to turn one's self about.
About
On the move;
Up and about
The whole town was astir over the incident
About
(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
About
All around or on all sides;
Dirty clothes lying around (or about)
Let's look about for help
There were trees growing all around
She looked around her
About
In the area or vicinity;
A few spectators standing about
Hanging around
Waited around for the next flight
About
To or among many different places or in no particular direction;
Wandering about with no place to go
People were rushing about
News gets around (or about)
Traveled around in Asia
He needs advice from someone who's been around
She sleeps around
About
In or to a reversed position or direction;
About face
Brought the ship about
Suddenly she turned around
About
In rotation or succession;
Turn about is fair play
About
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; `near' is sometimes used informally for `nearly' and `most' is sometimes used informally for `almost';
The job is (just) about done
The baby was almost asleep when the alarm sounded
We're almost finished
The car all but ran her down
He nearly fainted
Talked for nigh onto 2 hours
The recording is well-nigh perfect
Virtually all the parties signed the contract
I was near exhausted by the run
Most everyone agrees
Common Curiosities
What is the main difference between about and approximately?
"About" is used for general approximations and is more flexible, while "approximately" is used for near-exact numeric estimations.
Can "approximately" be used in non-numeric contexts?
It is uncommon and typically sticks to contexts involving numbers or measurements.
Which is more precise, about or approximately?
"Approximately" implies a closer approach to precision compared to "about."
Is "about" formal or informal?
"About" is more informal and versatile in both conversational and written English.
Why is "approximately" preferred in scientific contexts?
In scientific contexts, "approximately" is preferred because it conveys a sense of statistical or measured precision that is necessary for the credibility of data.
Can I use "about" when giving directions?
Yes, "about" can be used to suggest a rough estimate in directions, like "It's about a mile away."
Can "approximately" replace "about" in everyday language?
While "approximately" can technically replace "about" when referring to numbers, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation.
Is "about" suitable for academic writing?
"About" can be used in academic writing but should be applied carefully to avoid vagueness, especially when precision is required.
How does the usage of "about" affect the tone of a sentence?
Using "about" generally softens the tone of a sentence, making it seem less strict and more approximate, which can be more approachable in informal settings.
What impact does "approximately" have on the reader's perception?
"Approximately" tends to make the reader perceive the information as more carefully quantified, even if it is not exactly precise, thereby adding a level of seriousness or formality to the statement.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
