¹approach

verb ap·proach \ə-ˈprōch\

: to move or become near or nearer to something or someone

: to move or become near or nearer in time to something

: to get close to (an amount or level)

Full Definition of APPROACH

transitive verb

a : to draw closer to : near <approach a destination>

b : to come very near to : be almost the same as <its mathematics approaches mysticism — Theodore Sturgeon> <as the quantity x approaches zero>

a : to make advances to especially in order to create a desired result <was approached by several Broadway producers>

b : to take preliminary steps toward accomplishment or full knowledge or experience of <approach the subject with an open mind>

intransitive verb

: to draw nearer <the time is fast approaching>

: to make an approach in golf

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Origin of APPROACH

Middle English approchen, from Anglo-French aprocher, from Late Latin appropiare, from Latin ad- + prope near; akin to Latin pro before — more at for

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to APPROACH

Synonyms: belly up, close, close in, come up, draw on, near, nigh

Antonyms: back (up or away), recede, retire, retreat, withdraw

Rhymes with APPROACH

abroach, caroche, cockroach, encroach, reproach, stagecoach

²approach

noun

: a way of dealing with something : a way of doing or thinking about something

: the act of moving or becoming near or nearer to someone or something : the act of approaching : an act or occurrence in which something comes nearer

: the act of speaking to someone for some purpose (such as to ask a question or make a request)

Full Definition of APPROACH

a : an act or instance of approaching <the approach of summer>

b : approximation <in this book he makes his closest approach to greatness>

a : the taking of preliminary steps toward a particular purpose <experimenting with new lines of approach>

b : a particular manner of taking such steps <a highly individual approach to language>

: a means of access : avenue

a : a golf shot from the fairway toward the green

b : the steps taken by a bowler before delivering the ball; also : the part of the alley behind the foul line from which the bowler delivers the ball

: the descent of an aircraft toward a landing place

See approach defined for English-language learners