1 an estimate (of sth) a guess or judgement about the size, cost, etc of sth, before you have all the facts and figures 估计: Can you give me a rough estimate of how many people will be at the meeting? 有多少人出席会议？可以给我一个大概的数字吗？ At a conservative estimate (= the real figure will probably be higher), the job will take six months to complete. 据保守估计，这项任务要六个月才能完成。

2 an estimate (for sth/doing sth) a written statement from a person who is going to do a job for you, for example a BUILDER or a painter, telling you how much it will cost （营造商等就某项工程发出的）估价单: They gave me an estimate for repairing the roof. 他们给我一张修缮屋顶的估价单。 ☞Look at quotation. 参看 quotation。