approach

Sayuh-PROHCH/əˈpɹoʊt͡ʃ/UK/əˈpɹəʊt͡ʃ/

Pluralapproaches

Verbapproaches, approaching, approached

17 meanings of approach

Practice

1
methodnounfigurativelycountable
A way of dealing with a problem or making a plan.
Like choosing which road to take to reach a place.
Her approach to teaching uses lots of hands-on projects.
Scientists tried several approaches before solving the puzzle.
UsageSay an approach to something: an approach to teaching.
Similarmethod, strategy, attitude, tactic, technique
2
verbtransitive or intransitive
To come closer to something, or to get close to a certain time, amount, or level.
Like a train coming nearer down the track.
As the deadline approaches, everyone works faster.
Storm clouds approach from the west.
UsageOften fast approaching: winter is fast approaching.
Similarnear, advance
Oppositerecede, retreat, withdraw, depart
Note
3
ask someoneverbtransitive
To go to a person to ask or suggest something.
Like walking up to a teacher to ask a question.
She approached her manager about a raise.
You should approach the teacher if you have questions.
UsageSay approach your boss about a raise.
Similarcontact, consult
Note
4
verbtransitive
To start dealing with a problem or task in some way.
Like deciding where to start a big puzzle.
We need to approach this problem one step at a time.
The mayor approached the housing shortage with bold new ideas.
UsageSay approach a problem with care.
Similartackle, address, handle, treat
Oppositeavoid, sidestep
Note
5
nounfigurativelycountable or uncountable
The act of coming nearer in space or time.
Like watching a friend get nearer as they walk toward you.
The approach of winter brought colder nights.
Everyone grew quiet at the approach of the teacher.
UsageSay the approach of winter.
Similaradvance, coming
Oppositeretreat, departure, withdrawal
Note
6
nounfigurativelycountable
A road or path that leads to a place.
Like the driveway that leads up to a house.
The approach to the old bridge was steep and narrow.
Guards blocked all the approaches to the palace.
UsageSay the approach to the bridge.
Note
7
nouncountablebefore a noun
The way a plane comes down toward the runway to land.
Like a car slowing down to line up with a parking spot.
The pilot began the final approach to the runway.
Heavy fog forced the crew to abandon their first two approaches.
UsageSay final approach or an approach to the runway.
Note

Less common meanings

8
math limitverbtransitive
To get closer and closer to a value, as close as you like, or to keep growing without end toward infinity.
Like walking halfway to a wall, then halfway again: getting closer forever but never touching it.
As the number approaches ten, the answer gets bigger.
These curves approach zero as you move to the right.
Similartend, converge
Note
9
golf shotnounabbreviationellipsis
Short for approach shot. It means a shot played to land the ball near the hole or target.
Her approach rolled to within a foot of the cup.
A good approach left him an easy birdie putt.
Note
10
verbintransitive
To hit a golf shot meant to land the ball close to the green or hole.
Like a careful throw aimed to land a beanbag right next to the target.
She likes to approach with a soft wedge.
If you approach well, you set up an easy putt.
Note
11
close matchnouncountable
A close match to something in quality or amount.
Like a drawing that looks almost exactly like the real thing.
The copy was a close approach to the original drawing.
This is the closest approach to a perfect score we have seen.
UsageSay the closest approach to something.
Similarapproximation
Note
12
verbraretransitive or intransitive
To look as if moving toward a place, even though the thing itself does not actually move.
Like how trees by the road seem to come toward you when you're in a moving car.
The hills seem to approach the road as it curves around them.
[T]here appears a seeming mount, made up of trees rising one higher than another, in proportion as they approach the centre.
1712, [Joseph Addison], “SATURDAY, September 6, 1712”Here, approach means to be placed closer and closer to a point, as if moving there.
Note
13
siege advanceverbtransitive
To move toward a place slowly using trenches or covered paths for protection.
Like sneaking up to a base by crawling through a hidden tunnel instead of crossing open ground.
The army dug trenches so it could approach the enemy fort safely.
Troops approach the walls through long, hidden trenches.
Note
14
nounarchaic
A chance to come near to someone or something.
The Learned met with free Approach, Although they came not in a Coach.
1726, [Jonathan Swift], Cadenus and Vanessa. A PoemHere, approach means a chance or way to come near someone.
Honour hath three Things in it: The Vantage Ground to doe Good: The approach to Kings and principall Persons: And the Raiſing of a Mans owne Fortunes.
1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Ambition. XXXVI.”
Note
15
verbarchaiceuphemistictransitive
An old, indirect way of saying to have sex with someone.
None of you ſhall approche to any that is neere of kinne to him, to vncouer their nakedneſſe: I am the Lord.
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionHere, approach is a polite older way to say have sex with someone.
Similarmate, couple, copulate, penetrate, know
Note
16
noun
The part of the floor where a bowler stands and steps forward before rolling the ball.
17
verbrare
To move something so that it comes closer to another thing.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of approach apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 2–4, 8, 10, 12–13, 15

It came through Old French from a Late Latin verb built on Latin prope, meaning 'near'.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

Approach came into English through Old French. en.wiktionary.org
The Old French word derives from a Late Latin verb based on Latin prope. en.wiktionary.org
Latin prope means 'near'. en.wiktionary.org

Meanings 1, 5–7, 9, 11, 14

This is the noun from Middle English approche, meaning 'approach' or 'arrival', from the same verb as etymology 1.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts

The noun approach derives from Middle English approche. en.wiktionary.org
Middle English approche meant approach or arrival. en.wiktionary.org
The noun derives from approchen/aprochen, the verb identified in etymology 1. en.wiktionary.org