- estimate
- ▪ I. estimate es‧ti‧mate 1 [ˈestmt] noun [countable]1. a calculation of what the value, size, amount etc of something will probably be:
• They were able to give us a rough estimate (= a not very exact one ) of the cost.
• Even the most conservative estimates (= deliberately low ) suggest we need to build one million new homes.
• Get several estimates before starting any building work.
• Nuclear power stations are notoriously unreliable and construction costs go way over original estimates.
[m0] ▪ II. estimate es‧ti‧mate 2 [ˈestmeɪt] verb [intransitive, transitive]to calculate what you think the value, size, amount etc of something is or will probably be:• Officials estimate that supply has exceeded demand by £7.5 billion since the beginning of 2005.
• The value of the deal is estimated at £12 million.
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Ⅰ.estimate UK US /ˈestɪmeɪt/ verb [T]► to say what you believe the cost, size, value, etc. of something is, although you do not know for certain: estimate how much/many »We should be able to estimate how many customers we will have each month.
»Several online calculators allow you to estimate your carbon emissions.
estimate that sth »Some analysts estimate that about a quarter of career-track hires in recent years have been women.
estimate sth to be sth »The knock-on economic benefit is estimated to be about 1200 jobs.
estimate sth at sth »Global oil reserves were estimated at 1,000 billion barrels.
Ⅱ.estimate UK US /ˈestɪmət/ noun [C]► a guess as to what the size, value, amount, etc. of something might be: make/give/provide an estimate (of sth) »Please provide an estimate of the increased cost for your business per annum.
»The estimates are based on a survey done in the early 1990s, so may no longer be accurate.
»The best estimate puts the total number of sales at about 1,000.
»a preliminary/initial/early estimate
rough/accurate estimate »At a rough estimate, three-quarters of the farms listed are working farms.
»a conservative/realistic/reasonable estimate
► COMMERCE a statement for a possible customer about how much a piece of work should cost: give sb/provide/prepare an estimate »He will compile the specifications, draw up plans, and prepare an estimate.
ask for/obtain an estimate (for sth) »We can offer advice on how to obtain estimates for minor repairs.
»If it is discovered that the cost will be greater than originally estimated, a revised estimate may then be sent to you.
→ See also COST ESTIMATE(Cf. ↑cost estimate), EARNINGS ESTIMATE(Cf. ↑earnings estimate), INSURANCE ESTIMATE(Cf. ↑insurance estimate)
Financial and business terms. 2012.