estimation

estimation — noun

1. what you personally think or believe about how good, valuable, or worthy a perso

1.nounB1
Definition

what you personally think or believe about how good, valuable, or worthy a person or thing is — commonly used in the fixed phrase "in my estimation" before you give your view.

Example

In Quan's estimation, the new policy has done more harm than good.

in [someone's] estimation — fixed phrase for stating an opinion

In the editor's estimation, Olivia's latest draft is finally ready for publication.

Common collocations
  • in my estimation
  • in someone's estimation
  • public estimation
  • rise/fall in estimation
  • estimation of
Synonyms
  • opinion

    more general and conversational; used without possessive restriction

  • judgment

    suggests a more careful, reasoned evaluation than estimation

  • assessment

    implies a systematic evaluation, often used in professional contexts

  • view

    personal perspective; more neutral and less formal than estimation

Grammar Patterns

in + possessive + estimation

someone's estimation of something/somebody

Usage Note

Frequently used in the fixed possessive phrase "in my / his / her / their estimation" as a sentence adverb meaning "in my opinion." Unlike opinion, estimation in this sense is almost always preceded by a possessive determiner.

Common Mistakes

In my estimation, this is not a good idea.' (correct but overly formal for everyday speech).
In my opinion, this is not a good idea.
In casual conversation, 'in my opinion' sounds more natural than 'in my estimation.'
My estimation of the movie was that it was too long.' (awkward).
In my estimation, the movie was too long.
Use the fixed phrase 'in my estimation' rather than using 'estimation' as a stand-alone noun for an opinion.

2. a rough calculation, guess, or figure that you arrive at when you judge the appr

2.nounB2
Definition

a rough calculation, guess, or figure that you arrive at when you judge the approximate size, cost, value, quantity, or duration of something, usually without measuring exactly.

Example

The contractor's estimation for the kitchen renovation came to nearly fifteen thousand dollars.

estimation for [something] — calculation of cost or price

Sumin's rough estimation placed the number of concertgoers at about two thousand people.

Common collocations
  • rough estimation
  • accurate estimation
  • cost estimation
  • estimation of
  • estimation for
  • quick estimation
  • preliminary estimation
Synonyms
  • estimate

    the specific figure or amount calculated; more common than estimation for countable results

  • approximation

    technical term for a figure that is close but not exact

  • guesstimate

    informal blend of 'guess' and 'estimate'; less precise

  • calculation

    implies a more mathematically exact process than estimation

Grammar Patterns

estimation of + noun

estimation for + noun

Usage Note

Distinguish from estimate (noun): an estimate is the specific number or figure you produce; estimation more often refers to the process or act of calculating. In everyday use, however, the two overlap considerably — estimation is preferred in formal or technical writing.

Common Mistakes

The estimation was $5,000.' (ambiguous — use 'estimate' for the specific figure).
The estimate was $5,000.
Use 'estimate' when citing a specific number; use 'estimation' for the process or a rough range.
I need an estimation of how many people are coming.' (acceptable but slightly formal).
I need an estimate of how many people are coming.
'Estimate' is more natural for a single approximate figure in everyday English.

3. the high opinion, respect, or admiration that people feel for a person because o

3.nounC1
Definition

the high opinion, respect, or admiration that people feel for a person because of their character, achievements, or position — used mainly in formal or literary contexts to describe a standing of honor.

Example

Dr. Okafor is held in high estimation by everyone on the hospital staff.

held in high estimation — fixed phrase for great respect

Esteban's estimation among his fellow musicians grew after his award-winning performance.

Common collocations
  • hold in high estimation
  • hold in great estimation
  • of great estimation
  • earn the estimation of
  • high estimation
  • low estimation
Synonyms
  • esteem

    nearly identical in meaning but more common than estimation for this sense

  • regard

    broader term; can range from neutral to positive ('high regard')

  • respect

    more general and frequent; the everyday alternative to this formal sense

  • admiration

    emphasizes approval and appreciation of specific qualities

Antonyms
  • disdain

    strong feeling of dislike and lack of respect; opposite of high estimation

  • contempt

    feeling that someone is worthless or beneath notice

Grammar Patterns

hold + someone + in + high/great + estimation

of great estimation

Usage Note

Almost always appears with evaluative adjectives (high, great, low) or in the fixed verb phrase "hold someone in (high) estimation." This sense is far less common in modern everyday English than sense 1; it belongs to formal writing, literature, and ceremonial language.

Common Mistakes

I have high estimation for her.' (unnatural phrasing).
I hold her in high estimation.
Use the verb 'hold' with this sense rather than 'have.'
He is a person of estimation.' (too vague).
He is a person of great estimation.
The adjective 'great' or 'high' is almost always required to complete the meaning.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Estimation, opinion, judgment, assessment, and view all refer to what someone thinks about something, but they differ in formality and focus. Opinion is the broadest and most neutral word — you can have an opinion about anything, from food to politics. Judgment suggests a more deliberate, evaluative process, often involving right-versus-wrong or good-versus-bad decisions. Assessment is more systematic and analytical, typical of professional or academic contexts (e.g., a teacher's assessment of a student). View is subjective and personal, often implying a perspective shaped by experience. Estimation stands out as the most formal of the five, especially in the fixed phrase "in my estimation." For example: 'In my opinion, the film was dull' (casual); 'In my estimation, the project will need six more weeks' (formal); 'The court's judgment was final' (legal); 'Her assessment of the situation was accurate' (professional).

opinion ↗judgment ↗assessment ↗view ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • in my estimation
  • in someone's estimation
  • by rough estimation
  • high estimation
  • great estimation

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Estimation entered English in the 1300s from Old French 'estimacion,' which came from Latin 'aestimatio' (valuation, appraisal). The Latin root 'aestimare' meant 'to value, appraise, determine the worth of' — originally a financial term. Over time the word expanded from its literal sense of calculating monetary value (sense 2) to cover personal opinions (sense 1) and, by the 1500s, the abstract sense of esteem and regard (sense 3).