Approximate amounts and outlines

The idea

Roughly means approximately before a number or comparison, and can mean in broad outline with a description.

Examples

• Roughly forty people attended the workshop.
• The walk takes roughly an hour.
• The two boxes are roughly the same size.
• I can roughly describe the route from memory.
• The repairs will cost roughly five hundred pounds.
• The painting is roughly square.

Watch out

An estimate with roughly is not an exact count; the word can also mean in a harsh manner in other contexts.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the word that marks an approximation. The hall holds ___ sixty chairs, give or take a few. (roughly / exactly)

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   roughly

   roughly shows that sixty is an estimate.

2. Choose the word that marks an approximation. These two paths are ___ equal in length, though not precisely. (roughly / exactly)

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   roughly

   roughly marks the comparison as approximate.

3. Choose the word that marks an approximation. Could you ___ outline the proposal, without details? (roughly / exactly)

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   roughly

   roughly signals a broad outline of the plan.

Use it today

Estimate a journey time and describe a familiar shape in broad terms.