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

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