Estimate - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

SKIP TO CONTENT estimate 1. /ˈɛstəˌmeɪt/ judge tentatively 2. /ˈɛstəmət/ an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth IPA guide

Other forms: estimated; estimates; estimating

A rough calculation or appraisal is an estimate. When you hit another baseball through the kitchen window, your parents will get an estimate of the repair costs. And you should estimate being grounded for approximately 3 weeks.

An estimate is kind of like a very educated guess. Making an estimate takes good evaluation skills, and usually estimates are pretty close to the actual outcome. If the garage bill is way higher than the estimate they gave you, for example, you have a right to be angry. But if you forgot to factor in rush hour traffic when you estimated the drive from Boston to New York, that's your own fault.

Definitions of estimate (/ˈɛstəˌmeɪt/)
  1. verb judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time) “I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds” synonyms: approximate, gauge, guess, judge see moresee less types: show 10 types... hide 10 types... quantise, quantize approximate (a signal varying continuously in amplitude) by one whose amplitude is restricted to a prescribed set of discrete values misgauge gauge something incorrectly or improperly place, put, set estimate give estimate the duration or outcome of something lowball, underestimate make a deliberately low estimate assess estimate the value of (property) for taxation make calculate as being count, reckon take account of truncate approximate by ignoring all terms beyond a chosen one guesstimate estimate based on a calculation type of: calculate, cipher, compute, cypher, figure, reckon, work out make a mathematical calculation or computation
  2. verb judge to be probable synonyms: calculate, count on, figure, forecast, reckon see moresee less types: allow, take into account allow or plan for a certain possibility; concede the truth or validity of something budget for calculate enough money for; provide for in the budget type of: evaluate, judge, pass judgment form a critical opinion of
Definitions of estimate (/ˈɛstəmət/)
  1. noun an approximate calculation of quantity or degree or worth “an estimate of what it would cost” synonyms: approximation, estimation, idea see moresee less types: show 6 types... hide 6 types... scalage estimation of the amount of lumber in a log credit, credit rating an estimate, based on previous dealings, of a person's or an organization's ability to fulfill their financial commitments dead reckoning, guess, guessing, guesswork, shot an estimate based on little or no information guesstimate, guestimate an estimate that combines reasoning with guessing overestimate, overestimation, overrating, overreckoning a calculation that results in an estimate that is too high underestimate, underestimation, underrating, underreckoning an estimation that is too low; an estimate that is less than the true or actual value type of: calculation, computation, figuring, reckoning problem solving that involves numbers or quantities
  2. noun a judgment of the qualities of something or somebody “many factors are involved in any estimate of human life” synonyms: estimation see moresee less types: appraisal an expert estimation of the quality, quantity, and other characteristics of someone or something capitalisation, capitalization an estimation of the value of a business market capitalisation, market capitalization an estimation of the value of a business that is obtained by multiplying the number of shares outstanding by the current price of a share type of: assessment, judgement, judgment the act of judging or assessing a person or situation or event
  3. noun a document appraising the value of something (as for insurance or taxation) synonyms: appraisal, estimation see moresee less types: overappraisal, overestimate, overestimation, overvaluation an appraisal that is too high type of: commercial document, commercial instrument a document of or relating to commerce
  4. noun a statement indicating the likely cost of some job “he got an estimate from the car repair shop” see moresee less type of: statement a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
  5. noun the respect with which a person is held synonyms: estimation see moresee less types: report, reputation the general estimation that the public has for a person type of: esteem, regard, respect an attitude of admiration or esteem
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Vocabulary lists containing estimate

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