roughly speaking
In general terms
Roughly speaking is a phrase used to signal that what follows is an approximation or generalization rather than a precise statement.
It prepares the listener for figures that are rounded, descriptions that omit fine details, or explanations that sacrifice exactness for clarity.
Roughly speaking, the project will cost about two million dollars.
The phrase functions much like "approximately" or "more or less" but emphasizes that the speaker is deliberately simplifying.
- looselyWithout being tight
- in generalConsidering most cases
- approximatelyClose but not exact
- practicallyAlmost but not quite
- ballparkSports venue or estimate
almost · gist · estimate · oversimplify · back-of-envelope · quick and dirty · summarize · broad strokes · paraphrase · imprecise · overview · guesswork · vague · heuristic · non-specific · explain · give or take · order of magnitude
roughly speakingexactly
With total accuracy
precisely · specifically · accurately · strictly speaking · literally
rough, roughly, rougher, roughest, roughness, roughen, roughened, roughening, speak