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

“If Jay were to be NIH director, I would hope he would bring that approach to the organization.”

From Science Magazine

“One patient, one treatment story is not enough” to justify broad adoption of this approach, Moshynets says.

From Science Magazine

The government said its plans offered a “fair and balanced approach”.

From BBC

Their more assertive approach with Snell this time around points to a general shift in the team’s mindset.

From Los Angeles Times

The electrical approach typically relies on two chambers, one filled with the source brine and the other with pure water.

From Science Magazine

Related Words

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