What is estimate? Pronunciation and usage in English

estimate means . Learn how to pronounce and use estimate through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of estimate

estimateverb

/ˈɛstɪmeɪt/
Definition & pronunciation of estimate

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "estimate" in English. Here's a breakdown with phonetic symbols and a more conversational explanation:

1. Phonetic Breakdown (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

  • /ɪˈstɪˌmeɪt/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • ɪˈstɪ: This is the first part.
    • ɪ - Like the "i" in "bit" or "sit" (a short, quick "i" sound)
    • ˈstɪ - "Sti" – The stress is here. It's a slightly emphasized sound, almost a little bit clipped. Think of the "st" sound being a bit sharper than in other words.
  • ˌmeɪt: This is the second part.
    • ˌ: This symbol represents a secondary stress. It means the second syllable gets a little less emphasis than the first.
    • meɪ - “May” – Like the word "May." A long "a" sound.
    • t - Just a regular "t" sound.

2. Pronunciation Guide (Easy to Follow):

Here’s how it sounds to say it:

  1. "ih" (like in "bit") – Say “ih”
  2. "st" (like in “stop”) – Say “st” (but a little sharper, as described above).
  3. "ee" (like in “see”) - Say “ee”
  4. "mat" (like in "mat") - Say "mat"

Putting it together: Ih-stih-meet

3. Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Stress: The first syllable (“ih-stih”) is the stressed syllable. This is the most important part.
  • Sharpness: Make the "st" sound in the first syllable a little bit crisper and shorter than you would in a word like “start”.
  • Long “a”: The “a” in “may” should be held a little longer than a quick “a” sound.

Resources for Hearing it:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using "estimate"?

Usage and examples with the word estimate in English

Let's break down how to use the word "estimate" in English. It's a versatile word with several different meanings and uses. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Verb (To Calculate or Guess):

  • Meaning: To calculate or guess the amount, number, or size of something, often without precise information. It’s about figuring something out to the best of your ability.
  • Examples:
    • "I need to estimate how much paint we'll need for the room." (Figuring out how much paint you need)
    • "The police estimated the crowd size to be around 10,000 people." (Calculating the number of people)
    • "Can you estimate how long it will take to drive to the airport?" (Making a guess about the travel time)
    • "The accountant estimated the company’s profits for the quarter." (Calculating financial projections)

2. As a Noun (An Approximation or Judgement):

  • Meaning: A calculated or reasoned approximation of something. It's the result of that calculation or guess.
  • Examples:
    • "I have an estimate of $50 for the repairs." (The amount you've calculated as a possible cost)
    • "The builder gave us an estimate of three weeks for the project." (The timeframe they predicted)
    • "We received several estimates from different contractors." (Different proposed amounts or times)
    • "Please provide an estimate of the total cost." (Asking for a calculated approximation)

3. Related Phrases and Usage Notes:

  • "Rough estimate": This refers to a quick, approximate guess – not a precise calculation. "Let's make a rough estimate of the price."
  • "Give an estimate": This is a common way to politely ask for a calculation or guess. "Could you give me an estimate of the delivery time?"
  • "Based on an estimate": "The report is based on an estimate of future sales." (Meaning the projections are not definite)
  • "Within an estimate": “The price is within an estimate of $100 - $150.” (Meaning the cost falls within the calculated range).
  • "To estimate": Often used as an infinitive: “I need to estimate the time it will take.”

4. Context Matters – Different Degrees of Certainty:

  • "I estimate..." This often suggests a degree of uncertainty. You’re offering your best guess, acknowledging it might not be completely accurate.
  • "I estimate that..." A slightly more formal way of expressing a guess.
  • "We estimate..." (as in, a team or group) Suggests a more considered and potentially calculated guess.

Here's a quick table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Verb To calculate/guess "I estimate how long it will take."
Noun An approximation "Here’s my estimate for the cost."
Phrase Rough approximation "A rough estimate is $20."

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "estimate" in? (e.g., business, home improvement, travel, etc.)
  • Do you have a specific sentence in mind where you'd like to use the word?

Synonyms for the word estimate

Practice with vocabulary estimate

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project manager asked us to provide a rough ______ of the time needed for the next phase.
  2. Based on preliminary data, we can ______ that the new policy will affect about 10,000 residents.
  3. Please ______ the total cost, including all materials and labor, with precise figures.
  4. Before making a final decision, it's crucial to ______ the risks associated with this investment.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. It's difficult to give an accurate ______ of the total damage without a full inspection. a) evaluation b) assessment c) estimate d) determination

  2. Please try to ______ how many people might attend the workshop, even if it's just a rough idea. a) determine b) estimate c) calculate d) evaluate

  3. The expert provided a conservative ______ of the painting's value, considering its rarity and condition. a) appraisal b) estimate c) valuation d) guess

  4. Researchers aim to ______ the precise melting point of the newly synthesized compound. a) estimate b) gauge c) determine d) approximate

  5. Based on the initial data, the financial analyst made a cautious ______ about the market trends. a) forecast b) speculation c) projection d) evaluation

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. They made a rough calculation of the costs involved for the entire production. (Use "estimate" or a related word form)
  2. We believe that around 500 participants will attend the upcoming international conference. (Use "estimate" or a related word form)
  3. The meteorologist predicted heavy rainfall for the weekend, urging residents to prepare. (Do not use "estimate" or any related word form)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. estimate
  2. estimate
  3. calculate
  4. assess

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) estimate
  2. b) estimate
  3. a) appraisal, b) estimate, c) valuation
  4. c) determine
  5. a) forecast, c) projection

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. They estimated the costs involved for the entire production roughly.
  2. Our estimate is that about 500 participants will attend the upcoming international conference.
  3. The meteorologist forecast heavy rainfall for the weekend, urging residents to prepare.

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