Meaning & use
rough estimate
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
An approximate figure for a cost, size, amount or time, given quickly without exact calculation.
Grammar: Usually with a: can you give me a rough estimate?
Patterns
- a rough estimate of something
- give someone a rough estimate
The builder gave us a rough estimate of five thousand dollars for the repairs.
Can you give me a rough estimate of how long the trip will take?
Even a rough estimate shows that the project will cost far more than planned.
Word forms
| plural | rough estimates |
|---|
Common combinations
- give a rough estimate
- Could you give a rough estimate of the guest numbers?
- make a rough estimate
- I made a rough estimate of the costs on the back of an envelope.
- a very rough estimate
- This is only a very rough estimate, so please do not rely on it.
- rough estimate of the cost
- We need a rough estimate of the cost before we start.
- at a rough estimate
- At a rough estimate, about two hundred people came.
- according to rough estimates
- According to rough estimates, the crowd was over ten thousand.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ballpark figure
- Ballpark figure is informal and suggests a number in the right general range, so it is friendlier but less suitable for formal reports.
- approximation
- Approximation is more formal and technical, and often implies a calculated value rather than a quick guess.
- guess
- A guess has no basis in calculation, whereas a rough estimate is usually based on some facts or experience.
- ballpark estimate
- Ballpark estimate means the same as a rough estimate but is more casual and common in American speech.
Opposites
Word family
- estimate noun
- an approximate judgment of a number or amount
- estimate verb
- to judge an amount approximately
- estimation noun
- the act of estimating, or a judgment
- underestimate verb
- to guess too low
- roughly adverb
- approximately
Commonly confused: rough estimate or quote?
rough estimate vs quote
A quote is a firm price a supplier offers for a job, while an estimate is only an approximation that may change.
Practice
The builder gave us a ___ of $5,000 but warned that the final bill might be higher.
Choose one answer.
A rough estimate is an approximate figure given in advance. A receipt and an invoice show amounts already charged, and a guarantee would promise the price.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rough estimate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.