Definition: Imprecise but close to in quantity or amount.

Alright class, settle down, let’s take a look! Today we’re tackling a tricky word – “approximately.” It’s a lovely little phrase that can cause a bit of confusion, so let's break it down. The dictionary is right to say it’s "imprecise but close." Think of it like this: Imagine you’re baking cookies, and you need one cup of flour. You measure out almost exactly one cup, maybe a little more, maybe a tiny bit less - that's approximately! It's not perfectly precise, a pinpoint measurement, but it's close enough for the recipe to work. It means something is not exact , and we’re giving an estimate – a guess really – that's pretty darn close to the truth. We often use “approximately” when we don't have a perfectly accurate number, or when it's not crucial to be absolutely precise. For example: "The movie is about two hours long - approximately." Does that make sense? Do you have any questions about how ‘approximately’ fits into your understanding of math and language?