approach

verb

ap·​proach ə-ˈprōch 

approached; approaching; approaches

transitive verb

1

a

: to draw closer to : near

approach a destination

b

: to come very near to : to be almost the same as

… its mathematics approaches mysticism.

—Theodore Sturgeon

as the quantity x approaches zero

2

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

Try to approach the subject with an open mind.

intransitive verb

1

: to draw nearer

The time is fast approaching.

2

: to make an approach in golf

Synonyms of approach

• come
• close
• come up
• draw on
• near

Examples of approach in a Sentence

The cat approached the baby cautiously.

Ease off the gas pedal to slow down as the bend in the road approaches.

We are approaching the end of the fiscal year.

This weekend we're expecting temperatures approaching 100 degrees.

The success rates approach 90 percent.

He has a wild laugh that sometimes approaches hysteria.

a reproduction that approaches the quality of the original painting

The supervisor is quite easy to approach, so don't hesitate to bring up any problems you have.

We were advised to never be too aggressive when approaching a potential client.

Recent Examples on the Web

As pressure grows on the economy with the midterms approaching. —NBC news, 7 June 2026

Barclays’ research, Krishna said, has identified that the dynamic becomes especially acute as the yield approaches 5%. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 7 June 2026

Two years ago, the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission said that the economic impact of this summer’s FIFA World Cup could approach $594 million and attract nearly 150,000 out-of-town visitors. —Pat Maio, Daily News, 7 June 2026

But in 2000, few anticipated this increase would approach $15,000 per capita and 18% of GDP by 2025. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing approach

• approach shot

Rhymes for approach

• cockroach
• encroach
• reproach
• stagecoach
• broach
• coach
• loach
• poach
• roach
• roche

Kids Definition

approach

1 of 2 verb

ap·​proach ə-ˈprōch 

1

: to come near or nearer

2

: to begin to deal with

approach a problem

approach

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of approaching

2

: a beginning step toward an end

3

: way of dealing with something

try a new approach

4

: a way (as a path or road) to get to some place

Medical Definition

approach

noun

ap·​proach ə-ˈprōch 

: the surgical procedure by which access is gained to a bodily part