approach

[uh-prohch]

verb (used with object)

1. to come near or nearer to.

   The cars slowed down as they approached the intersection.

   Synonyms: near

2. to come near to in quality, character, time, or condition; to come within range for comparison.

   As a poet he hardly approaches Keats.

3. to present, offer, or make a proposal or request to.

   to approach the president with a suggestion.

4. to begin work on; set about.

   to approach a problem.

5. to make advances to; address.

6. to bring near to something.

   Antonyms: withdraw

verb (used without object)

1. to come nearer; draw near.

   A storm is approaching.

2. to come near in character, time, amount, etc.; approximate.

noun

1. the act of drawing near.

   the approach of a train.

2. nearness or close approximation.

   a fair approach to accuracy.

3. any means of access, as a road or ramp.

   the approaches to a city.

4. the method used or steps taken in setting about a task, problem, etc..

   His approach to any problem was to prepare an outline.

5. the course to be followed by an aircraft in approaching for a landing or in joining a traffic pattern.

   The plane's approach to the airport was hazardous.

6. Sometimes approaches. a presentation, offer, or proposal.

7. Military.,  approaches, works for protecting forces in an advance against a fortified position.

8. Also called approach shot. Golf.,  a stroke made after teeing off, by which a player attempts to get the ball onto the putting green.

9. Bowling.

   1. the steps taken and the manner employed in delivering the ball.

      He favors a four-step approach.

   2. Also called runway. the area behind the foul line, from which the ball is delivered.

approach

/ əˈprəʊtʃ /

verb

1. to come nearer in position, time, quality, character, etc, to (someone or something)

2. (tr) to make advances to, as with a proposal, suggestion, etc

3. (tr) to begin to deal with

   to approach a problem

4. rare,  (tr) to cause to come near

noun

1. the act of coming towards or drawing close or closer

2. a close approximation

3. the way or means of entering or leaving; access

4. (often plural) an advance or overture to a person

5. a means adopted in tackling a problem, job of work, etc

6. Also called: approach path. the course followed by an aircraft preparing for landing

Other Word Forms

• approacher noun
• approachless adjective
• reapproach verb
• unapproached adjective
• unapproaching adjective
• well-approached adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of approach¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; (verb) Middle English a(p)prochen, from Old French aprochier, from Late Latin adpropiāre “to draw near,” equivalent to ad- “to” and propiāre “to draw near,” derivative of Latin propius “nearer” (comparative of prope “near”), replacing Latin appropinquāre; (noun) late Middle English approche, derivative of the verb; ad- ( def. ), propinquity ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of approach¹

C14: from Old French aprochier, from Late Latin appropiāre to draw near, from Latin prope near

Example Sentences

And with that in mind, as autumn approaches so too does the prospect of the next government Budget - which will take place on Wednesday 26 November.

From BBC

"The issue of a seaport is no longer something to be ashamed of. The global perspective is clear - there is no large country without port access, and this should be approached through negotiation," Abiy added.

From BBC

Campaigners have also approached King Charles as patron of the St Catherine Foundation, which raises funds to help conserve and study the monastery's heritage with its collection of valuable ancient Christian manuscripts.

From BBC

The refiled case will be closely watched, not only for its potential impact on conservative media but also for what it signals about Cannon’s approach to politically charged litigation.

From Salon

It will be interesting to hear if Venkatesham adopts an abrupter approach as he seeks to lay down a marker in the post-Levy era.

From BBC

Related Words

• attitude 
• concept 
• idea 
• manner 
• means 
• method 
• mode 
• procedure 
• program 
• style 
• technique 
• way