约
to agree; to invite; to save; approximately
Meanings
8 senses · 40 examplesverb
to agree on; to arrange
Used when making mutual agreements or arrangements.
We agreed to meet at eight o'clock tomorrow morning.
They prearranged the meeting time.
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The two countries agreed not to invade each other.
We scheduled to talk again next month.
They made plans to go see a movie together.
verb
to invite
Used when asking someone to come somewhere or do something.
I invited friends to come to my house for dinner.
They specially invited a famous professor to give a lecture.
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I want to invite him to our party.
She invited me to go shopping together on the weekend.
The company interviewed several candidates.
noun
agreement; pact; treaty
formalRefers to formal agreements or contracts between parties.
We should abide by the agreement.
The two countries signed a peace treaty.
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They have a gentleman's agreement between them.
The two parties reached a verbal agreement.
This treaty benefits both parties.
verb
to restrict; to restrain
formalUsed when limiting something or someone within certain bounds.
We should restrain our behavior.
Laws can restrict people's behavior.
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He feels greatly constrained.
This regulation restricts our freedom.
Moral norms regulate social members.
verb
to save; to economize
Used when talking about saving resources, especially money.
We should save water and electricity.
He lives a very thrifty life.
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This company saved a lot of costs.
She is very good at saving expenses.
We should develop the good habit of saving.
adjective
concise; brief
formalDescribes something that is simple and to the point.
His speech was very concise.
This painting has a simple yet elegant style.
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Please express your meaning in concise language.
The content of this book is clear and concise.
Modern design advocates the beauty of simplicity.
adverb
approximately; about; roughly
Used to indicate an approximate quantity or time.
He is about thirty years old.
This city has a population of approximately two million.
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We need about three days to complete this work.
The meeting will last approximately two hours.
This tree is about ten meters tall.
verb
to reduce a fraction to simplest terms
technicalThis is a mathematical term used in fractions.
5/10 can be reduced to 1/2.
Please reduce this fraction to its simplest terms.
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This fraction is already in its simplest form and cannot be reduced further.
Reducing fractions is a basic operation in mathematics.
The teacher taught us how to reduce fractions.