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Planning & Processnoun|verb · /ˈestɪmeɪt/ (noun), /ˈestɪmeɪt/ (verb)

estimate

In simple English

In tech companies, estimate is one of the most critical terms in project planning and development. When you estimate a feature or bug fix, you are predicting the time, effort, or resources needed to complete it. This is different from a simple guess because estimates are based on experience, complexity analysis, and historical data. Estimates are given in story points, hours, days, or weeks depending on your company's methodology (Agile, Scrum, Waterfall, etc.). Managers use estimates to schedule releases, allocate resources, and manage client expectations. Developers are often asked to provide estimates during planning meetings, backlog refinement sessions, or one-on-one conversations with team leads. Providing accurate estimates is a key skill because underestimates can lead to missed deadlines and overworked teams, while overestimates waste time and reduce team velocity.

What does estimate mean in software development and how do I estimate tasks?

At a glanceCEFR B2
Commonness5/5
Versatility5/5
FormalityCasualFormalNeutral
Spoken ↔ WrittenSpokenWrittenBoth
Directness ↔ DiplomaticDirectDiplomaticDirect
RegionUS and UK
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Say it like this

✓We need to estimate this feature
✓Can you give me a ballpark estimate?
✓The estimate is 8 story points
✓We underestimated the complexity

Real examples

in a standup

"I estimate this bug fix will take about 4 hours to complete."

in a planning meeting

"Our estimate for the new dashboard is 13 story points."

in a code review

"We had to revise our estimate because the refactoring is more complex than expected."

in a client call

"Based on our analysis, we estimate the project will take 6 weeks."

Don't say this

Handle with care. Do not confuse with guess. An estimate is an informed prediction based on analysis, not a random guess. Also, estimate (verb) takes time/effort/resources as objects, not just tasks.

✕I estimate we should fix the database issue.
✓I estimate the database issue will take 3 days to fix.— Estimate needs a time frame or measurable outcome, not just the task itself.
✕That is just an estimate, so ignore it.
✓That estimate is based on incomplete information, so we should refine it.— Estimates in tech are professional predictions, not guesses to be ignored. Treat them seriously.
✕I am estimating the project costs.
✓I am providing an estimate for the project costs.— Say provide an estimate OR estimate + measurable outcome, not just estimating + noun.

Other forms

noun

estimate

"Our estimate for this sprint is 40 story points."

verb

estimate

"We estimate the migration will take 2 weeks."

verb (past)

estimated

"We estimated it would be done by Friday, but we were wrong."

noun (gerund)

estimating

"Estimating is difficult when requirements are unclear."

Often used with

rough estimateAn initial, less precise estimate; often used early in planning
ballpark estimateAn approximate estimate that is in the right range but not exact
underestimateTo estimate something as taking less time or effort than it actually does
overestimateTo estimate something as taking more time or effort than it actually does
revised estimateAn updated estimate after new information becomes available
time estimateA prediction of how long a task will take
cost estimateA prediction of how much a project or task will cost

Similar words

forecastSimilar to estimate but more commonly used for weather or large-scale predictions; more formal in tech
predictionMore general term; estimate is more specific and based on analysis
assessmentEvaluation of a situation; broader than estimate, which is specifically about time/cost/size
guesstimateInformal blend of guess and estimate; used for rough, less reliable predictions

Opposites

actualrealexact

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Practice

Try it

4 quick exercises

Pick the most natural phrasing

1. Your manager asks how long the API integration will take. What do you say?

Complete the sentence

2. We need to _______ the database migration before we commit to a launch date.

Spot the mistake

3. Which sentence uses estimate incorrectly?

Rewrite naturally

4. Rewrite this using estimate: We think this task will probably take around one week, but we are not completely sure.

Questions

Quick poll

Have you said "estimate" in a standup this week?

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