to a first approximation

prepositional phrase

Used to indicate that a statement, though not necessarily entirely accurate or without exceptions, is good enough for basic or preliminary purposes; more or less; basically.

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Meanings

prepositional phrase
  1. Used to indicate that a statement, though not necessarily entirely accurate or without exceptions, is good enough for basic or preliminary purposes; more or less; basically.

Origin

Originally from the scientific concept of order of approximation.

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Rhymes with to a first approximation

informationeducationlocationapplicationassociationadministrationorganizationcorporationregistrationAsianfoundationcommunicationpopulationnavigationstationaccommodationoperationpublicationvacationtransportationevaluationimplementationinstallationnation
All rhymes →
Cite this entry
APA

to a first approximation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/to%20a%20first%20approximation

MLA

“to a first approximation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/to%20a%20first%20approximation. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “to a first approximation,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/to%20a%20first%20approximation.

Source: to a first approximation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.