estimate
//ˈɛs.tɪ.mət//
Forms
- Plural
- estimates
- present (v1)
- estimate
- past (v2)
- estimated
- past participle (v3)
- estimated
- present participle
- estimating
- 3rd person singular
- estimates
Definitions
1.A rough calculation or assessment of the value, size, or cost of something.
2.An upper limitation on some positive quantity.
1.To calculate roughly, often from imperfect data.
- I estimate that I need 400 board feet of lumber to complete a job, and then order 350 because I do not want a surplus, or perhaps order 450 because I do not want to make any subsequent orders.
2.To judge and form an opinion of the value of, from imperfect data.
- It is always very difficult to estimate the age in which you are living.
- It is by the weight of silver, and not the name of the piece, that men estimate commodities and exchange them.
Frequency
Overall
Uncommon· #2042
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Uncommon
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Etymology
From Middle English estimat, borrowed from Latin aestimātus (“valuing, estimate”, only used in the ablative singular: "aestimātū.." (in valuing..))
From aestimō + -tus (“action noun-forming suffix”).