DictionaryAI

estimate

ES-ti-muht/ˈɛs.tɪ.mət/
As a verbES-ti-mayt

Verbestimates, estimating, estimated

Noun pluralestimates

6 meanings of estimate

Practice

  1. 1
    reckon (amount)verbtransitive
    To make a rough guess about an amount, size, or cost.

    Like guessing someone's age just by looking at them.

    We estimate that the trip will take about six hours.

    She estimated the cost before starting the work.

    UsageWe say estimate that it will take an hour, or the cost is estimated at $500.

    Similarcalculate, gauge, approximate, reckon, guess

  2. 2
    rough figurenouncountable
    A rough guess of how big something is, what it costs, or what it is worth.

    Like guessing how many candies are in a jar before counting them.

    My estimate for the repair was about two hundred dollars.

    Their estimates of the crowd size were all different.

    UsageWe often say a rough estimate or an estimate of the cost.

    Similarestimation, appraisal

    Note
  3. 3
    nouncountable
    A written or spoken note telling you how much a job should cost.

    Like a price tag you get before the work begins.

    The plumber gave us an estimate for fixing the sink.

    We got three estimates before choosing a builder.

    UsageYou get an estimate for a job, like fixing a sink.

    Note
  4. 4
    verbtransitive
    To form an opinion about how good or valuable someone or something is, without having all the facts.

    It is hard to estimate the importance of something while it is still happening.

    It's too early to estimate how good the new teacher really is.

    UsageWe often say estimate the importance of something.

    Similarjudge, assess, evaluate, gauge, appraise

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 5
    adjectiveobsolete
    Figured out as a rough guess rather than counted exactly.
    Note
  2. 6
    noun
    A top limit on how big a positive amount can be.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of estimate apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 2–3

From Latin aestimatus, meaning 'valuing' or 'estimate', which came from the verb aestimo.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

Meanings 1, 4

From Latin aestimatus, from the verb aestimo meaning 'to value or rate'. It may go back to an old word meaning 'one who cuts copper': that is, someone who made money in ancient Rome.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

Meaning 5

From Latin aestimatus ('estimated'). It was first used as the past participle of estimate.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • The adjective estimate comes from Latin aestimatus, meaning 'estimated'. en.wiktionary.org
  • Estimate was first used as the past participle of the verb estimate. en.wiktionary.org