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. approaches, Military. 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 calledapproach path the course followed by an aircraft preparing for landing

Other Words From

• ap·proacher noun
• ap·proachless adjective
• reap·proach verb
• unap·proached adjective
• unap·proaching adjective
• well-ap·proached 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

He took a similarly methodical approach to dismantling the notion that the United States should continue to be a beacon for immigrants.

From Salon

What approach Trump will take to the Israel-Gaza war is still unclear.

From BBC

The more hands-off approach favored by Trump could aid such medical device developers.

From Los Angeles Times

The president-elect’s pick of Matt Gaetz for attorney general signals that he wants the Justice Department to take a sharp-elbowed, hyperpartisan approach to legal matters.

From Los Angeles Times

As an unexpected choice for the job, Hoover understands that some people — both inside and outside the Olympic movement — will question his approach.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• come
• contact
• match
• meet
• near
• reach
• surround
• threaten