etwa

/ˈɛtva/

adverb B1

der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Meaning

approximately, about
- Das dauert etwa zehn Minuten.
  
  That takes about ten minutes.
by any chance (in questions, expressing surprise or suspicion)

In this use, etwa signals the speaker suspects or fears the answer is yes: "Hast du das etwa vergessen?" (You didn't forget that, did you?).
- Hast du das etwa vergessen?
  
  Did you forget that, by any chance?

etwa and schätzungsweise are close synonyms for "approximately, about," largely interchangeable.

etwa and ungefähr both mean "approximately"; largely interchangeable before a number or amount.

Similar in other languages

French

Close — approximately, about relates to "about, approximately."

1 What does etwa mean?

2 Fill the gap: Das dauert ___ zehn Minuten.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches etwa?