approaching

Sayuh-PROH-ching/əˈpɹoʊt͡ʃɪŋ/UK/əˈpɹəʊt͡ʃɪŋ/

4 meanings of approaching

1
verb
Present participle and gerund of approach. Use this -ing form for something that is coming closer right now.
The approaching car slowed down as it neared the corner.
We could see a storm approaching from the west.
Note
2
adjective
Coming nearer in space or time, getting close.
Like a wave you can see getting closer to the beach.
The approaching train made a loud noise as it pulled in.
Everyone watched the approaching clouds with worry.
Similarcoming, oncoming, upcoming, impending, imminent
Oppositereceding, departing
3
adverb
Almost, or very close to a number or amount.
It was approaching midnight when they finally arrived home.
The crowd was approaching ten thousand people by noon.
Similarnearly, almost
Note
4
noununcountable
The act of coming closer to something.
Like the moment a train slowly comes nearer to the station.
The approaching of the holidays filled the children with excitement.
We felt the approaching of night as the sky grew dark.
Similarcoming, advance, onset
Note

approaching is a form of approach

approach, verb: To come closer to something, or to get close to a certain time, amount, or level. Full entry

Forms: approachapproaches he/she/itapproaching -ing formapproached past tense, past participle
Spelling: approach → approaching: add -ing

Practice

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

Origin

This word comes from the word "approach" plus the ending "-ing".