Meaning & Origin
A “ballpark figure” is an approximate amount — a quick estimate used for planning before exact numbers are available. The phrase likely comes from the idea of a large, general area like a ballpark, suggesting “in the right area” rather than exact.
Pronunciation Guide
- ballpark — BALL‑park; stress on the first syllable.
- figure — FIG‑yer (AmE) or FIG‑yuh (BrE).
- Natural rhythm: BALL‑park FIG‑ure.
Usage & Sentence Examples
Use it when you want an estimate without precise details.
- What’s a ballpark figure for the trip budget?
- The contractor gave a ballpark figure before seeing the site.
- As a ballpark figure, expect delivery in two to three weeks.
- Give me a ballpark figure so I can set expectations.
- Her ballpark figure was close to the final invoice.
- Even a ballpark figure will help us decide today.
Synonyms
rough estimate · approximate number · back‑of‑the‑envelope estimate · guesstimate (informal) · rough ballpark · around/about
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