back-of-the-envelope

adjective

: done quickly to provide a rough estimate : not exact
did a back-of-the-envelope calculation
His method is, in effect, a back-of-the-envelope time-and-motion study.—Ian Stewart

Examples of back-of-the-envelope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The back-of-the-envelope math all pointed to catastrophe. — Arkansas Online, 19 Mar. 2026 Both memoirs prepare the lay gambler for a world of gruelling, bruising defeats and unglamorous back-of-the-envelope calculus. — Dan Piepenbring, New Yorker, 4 Feb. 2026 Even simple back-of-the-envelope and spreadsheet models, using historical hourly data, tell a more consistent story. — Alex Pavlak, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2026 Now borrow Virginia’s price and lay it over Pennsylvania’s pipeline, as a back-of-the-envelope test rather than an official figure. — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for back-of-the-envelope

Word History

First Known Use

1968, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of back-of-the-envelope was in 1968

Rhymes for back-of-the-envelope

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Browse Nearby Words

back of one's mind
back-of-the-envelope
back-order
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Back-of-the-envelope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back-of-the-envelope. Accessed 9 Jul. 2026.

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