# approaching

Pronunciation: say "uh-PROH-ching" US /əˈpɹoʊt͡ʃɪŋ/, UK /əˈpɹəʊt͡ʃɪŋ/

## Verb

1. Present participle and gerund of approach. — present participle and gerund of approach
   - Simple: Present participle and gerund of approach. Use this -ing form for something that is coming closer right now.
   - _The approaching deadline made everyone in the office nervous._
   - _Travelers noticed several figures approaching along the dusty road._

## Adjective

2. Coming closer; drawing near in space or time.
   - Simple: Coming nearer in space or time, getting close.
   - _The approaching deadline put the whole team on edge._
   - _Drivers slowed to make way for the approaching ambulance._

## Adverb

3. Almost reaching a particular number, level, or point; nearly.
   - Simple: Almost, or very close to a number or amount.
   - _Temperatures were approaching freezing by early evening._
   - _Her savings were approaching a thousand dollars after a year of work._

## Noun

4. The act of moving closer to a place, person, or moment in time.
   - Simple: The act of coming closer to something.
   - _The slow approaching of the deadline weighed on her mind all week._
   - _Sailors dreaded the approaching of the storm season._

## Origin

Formed from the verb "approach" combined with the suffix "-ing".

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/approaching (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).