estimate

tr.v., -mat·ed, -mat·ing, -mates.

1. To calculate approximately (the amount, extent, magnitude, position, or value of something).
2. To form an opinion about; evaluate: "While an author is yet living we estimate his powers by his worst performance" (Samuel Johnson).

n. (-mĭt)

1. The act of evaluating or appraising.
2. A tentative evaluation or rough calculation, as of worth, quantity, or size.
3. A statement of the approximate cost of work to be done, such as a building project or car repairs.
4. A judgment based on one's impressions; an opinion.

[Latin aestimāre, aestimāt-.]

estimative es'ti·ma'tive adj.
estimator es'ti·ma'tor n.

SYNONYMS   estimate, appraise, assess, assay, evaluate, rate. These verbs mean to form a judgment of worth or significance. Estimate usually implies a subjective and somewhat inexact judgment: difficult to estimate the possible results in advance. Appraise stresses expert judgment: appraised the works of art. Assess implies authoritative judgment in setting a monetary value on something as a basis for taxation: assessing real estate for investors. Assay refers to careful examination, especially to chemical analysis of an ore: will assay the ingot. In extended senses appraise, assess, and assay can refer to any critical analysis: appraised his character; will assess the impact of higher taxes; assaying the idea's merit. Evaluate implies considered judgment in ascertaining value: evaluating a student's thesis for content and organization. Rate involves determining the rank or grade of someone or something in relation to others: rated the restaurant higher than any other in the city.

1. To approximate.

2. In statistics, single value (point) or interval (range) of an unknown population parameter based on a sample of the population.

verb

1. To calculate approximately: approximate, place, put, reckon, set¹. See precise/imprecise.
2. To make a judgment as to the worth or value of: appraise, assay, assess, calculate, evaluate, gauge, judge, rate¹, size up, valuate, value. Idioms: take the measure of. See value/worthlessness/evaluation.

noun

1. The act or result of judging the worth or value of something or someone: appraisal, appraisement, assessment, estimation, evaluation, judgment, valuation. See value/worthlessness/evaluation.
2. A rough or tentative calculation: approximation, estimation. See precise/imprecise.

n

The anticipated fee for dental services to be performed.

1. See detailed estimate of construction cost. 2. See statement of probable construction cost.
3. See contractor’s estimate.

---

A measurement which is believed likely to incorporate a degree of error.

(DOD) 1. An analysis of a foreign situation, development, or trend that identifies its major elements, interprets the significance, and appraises the future possibilities and the prospective results of the various actions that might be taken. 2. An appraisal of the capabilities, vulnerabilities, and potential courses of action of a foreign nation or combination of nations in consequence of a specific national plan, policy, decision, or contemplated course of action. 3. An analysis of an actual or contemplated clandestine operation in relation to the situation in which it is or would be conducted in order to identify and appraise such factors as available as well as needed assets and potential obstacles, accomplishments, and consequences. See also intelligence estimate.

IN BRIEF: To make a general but careful guess about the size, value or cost. Also: a general guess about size, value, or cost.

Think highly of yourself, for the world takes you at your own estimate. — Unknown.

Tutor's tip: This word has two pronunciations. The first definition has a long a in the last syllable while the second definition has a short u sound in the second syllable.

Dansk (Danish)
v. tr. - bedømme, anslå, vurdere, beregne
n. - vurdering, bedømmelse, tilbud

Nederlands (Dutch)
schatten, waarderen, inschatten, taxeren, beoordelen, schatting, inschatting, begroting, prijsopgave

Français (French)
v. tr. - estimer, juger que, évaluer, apprécier (une distance)
n. - devis, évaluation, estimation, calcul approximatif, (Comm) devis, état estimatif, (Admin, Pol) le budget, les crédits budgétaires

Deutsch (German)
v. - schätzen
n. - Schätzung, Kostenvoranschlag, Haushaltsplan

Ελληνική (Greek)
v. - εκτιμώ, (προ)υπολογίζω, αποτιμώ, λογαριάζω
n. - εκτίμηση, αποτίμηση, υπολογισμός, (οικον.) προϋπολογισμός

Italiano (Italian)
stimare, preventivare, stima, preventivo

Português (Portuguese)
v. - avaliar, calcular, julgar
n. - estimativa (f), cálculo (m), opinião (f)

Русский (Russian)
оценивать, составлять смету, оценка, смета, предположение

Español (Spanish)
v. tr. - estimar, calcular, evaluar, presupuestar, tasar, valorar, considerar
n. - estima, aprecio, apreciación, cálculo aproximado, presupuesto, valorización, juicio, opinión

Svenska (Swedish)
v. - uppskatta, värdera, beräkna
n. - uppskattning, värdering

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
估计, 判断, 评价

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
v. tr. - 估計, 判斷, 評價
n. - 估計, 判斷

한국어 (Korean)
v. tr. - 평가하다
n. - 견적, 평가

日本語 (Japanese)
v. - 見積もる, 概算する, 評価する
n. - 見積もり, 見積もり書, 評価, 見積書

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(فعل) يثمن, يقدر (الاسم) تقييم, تقدير‏

עברית (Hebrew)
v. tr. - ‮אמד, העריך, מדד‬
n. - ‮אומדן, הערכה‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.

estimate guide	sample estimate form