Spanish Conversation · Level 36
75 words
Spanish word
aproximar
Pronunciation
IPA/apɾoksiˈmaɾ/
Meaning
- verbbring closer
Example
Por favor, aproxima la silla a la mesa.
Please bring the chair closer to the table.
More examples
Para preparar el presupuesto, conviene aproximar las cifras.
To prepare the budget, it's advisable to estimate the figures.
Core concept
Two objects whose distance narrows until their edges almost meet.
Common phrases
aproximar la fecha
bring the date forward
aproximar cifras
estimate the figures
aproximar la silla a la mesa
bring the chair closer to the table
Similar words
acercar: Moves something nearer to a person or place in casual, spoken contexts.
arrimar: Slides or nudges an object up against another so it rests immediately beside it.
juntar: Brings separate items together so they touch or form a single cluster.
Definition in Spanish
Hacer que algo o alguien esté más cerca en el espacio, en el tiempo o en sentido figurado; también calcular o estimar un valor de manera aproximada.
Word origin
From Latin approximāre, from ad- 'to' plus proximāre 'make near', ultimately from proximus 'nearest'.
Usage tips
- For everyday physical bringing closer speakers often prefer acercar, while aproximar appears more in writing and when giving approximate values, and the reflexive aproximarse means 'to approach'.
Other meanings
- approachverb
- estimateverb
Related words
- aproximaciónapproximationnoun
- aproximadoapproximateadjective
- aproximadamenteapproximatelyadverb