Cool MateApproximately vs Roughly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Approximately
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Roughly
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| Approximately | Roughly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈprɒksɪmətli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈprɑːksɪmətli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈrʌfli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈrʌfli/"]/ |
| Meaning | About or close to a certain amount. | Approximately, not exactly |
| Example | The journey took approximately seven hours. | Sales are up by roughly 10 per cent. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | approximately equal to, approximately 50%, approximately three hours | roughly speaking, roughly estimated, roughly the same, roughly translates |
| Antonyms | exactly, precisely | exactly, precisely |
| Common mistakes | Using 'approximately' with a precise number (e.g., saying 'approximately 2000' instead of 'about 2000')., Confusing 'approximately' with 'exactly'., Omitting 'approximately' when it’s needed for clarity in estimates. | Used in place of 'exactly' or 'precisely'., Incorrectly placed at the end of the sentence., Confused with 'rough' as an adjective. |
| Usage notes | Use 'approximately' when giving an estimate. It's appropriate in academic and professional contexts, but may sound overly formal in casual conversations. | Use 'roughly' when you want to give an estimate or approximation. It’s neutral and suitable for most contexts, but avoid in very formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Approximately vs Roughly
What's the difference between Approximately and Roughly?
Approximately: About or close to a certain amount. Roughly: Approximately, not exactly
Which is more advanced: Approximately and Roughly?
Roughly is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Approximately and Roughly the same CEFR level?
Approximately: B1, Roughly: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Approximately and Roughly?
Approximately: adverb, Roughly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Approximately: The journey took approximately seven hours. Roughly: Sales are up by roughly 10 per cent.
Can I use Approximately and Roughly interchangeably?
Not always. Approximately and Roughly are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.