approach

approach — verb

1. to get nearer to a place, person, or moment in time, so that the distance or gap

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1
Definition

to get nearer to a place, person, or moment in time, so that the distance or gap between you and them is shrinking.

Example

As the train approached the station, Mei gathered her bags from the rack.

approach + [place] for physical movement nearer

A tall stranger approached our table and asked for the menu.

transitive: approach + [person]

Common collocations
  • approach the deadline
  • approach the station
  • approach a stranger
  • winter is approaching
Synonyms
  • near

    more literary; often used for time ('night was nearing')

  • draw near

    phrasal, slightly formal

  • come up to

    informal, usually for people walking over

Antonyms
  • leave

    move away from

  • retreat

    move back, especially under threat

Grammar Patterns

approach + [place/person]

approach + [date/event]

Usage Note

Frequently transitive without a preposition: 'approach the door' (not 'approach to the door'). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about literal or temporal nearness, not handling a problem.

Common Mistakes

The bus is approaching to the stop.
The bus is approaching the stop.
'approach' takes a direct object, no 'to'.
We are approaching at the deadline.
We are approaching the deadline.
same rule applies for time.

2. to start working on a task, problem, or subject in a particular way, choosing ho

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to start working on a task, problem, or subject in a particular way, choosing how you will think about it and what steps you will take.

Example

Dr. Chen approached the budget cuts with calm logic and clear data.

approach + [problem] + with + [attitude]

Our team approached the redesign by talking to ten regular customers first.

approach + [task] + by + [-ing]

Common collocations
  • approach the problem
  • approach the task
  • approach the subject
  • approach differently
Synonyms
  • tackle

    more active, suggests effort against difficulty

  • handle

    broader; managing rather than starting work

  • address

    formal, often for serious issues in writing or speeches

Antonyms
  • ignore

    refuse to deal with

  • avoid

    stay away from dealing with it

Grammar Patterns

approach + [problem/task]

approach [something] with [attitude]

Usage Note

Object must be an abstract task, problem, subject, or topic — not a physical place. Distinguish from sense 1 (physical/temporal nearing): if you can replace with 'tackle' or 'handle', this is sense 2.

Common Mistakes

I will approach to this problem carefully.
I will approach this problem carefully.
no 'to' before the object.

3. to contact someone, in person, by phone, or in writing, because you want to ask

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to contact someone, in person, by phone, or in writing, because you want to ask for help, suggest a deal, or offer them something such as a job.

Example

Zane was approached by a small publisher about turning his blog into a book.

passive: be approached by [person] about [topic]

The Mayor approached three local banks for help paying flood damage.

approach + [group] + for + [thing]

Common collocations
  • approach someone about
  • be approached by
  • approach for help
  • approach a publisher
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

approach + [person/group] + about + [topic]

be approached by + [person]

Usage Note

Frequently passive ('was approached by'). The reason for contact is usually given by 'about + topic' or 'for + thing'. Distinguish from sense 2: here the object is a person you talk to, not a problem you work on.

Common Mistakes

I approached to my manager about a raise.
I approached my manager about a raise.
'approach' takes the person directly.
She was approached from a record label.
She was approached by a record label.
passive uses 'by', not 'from'.

approach — noun

Word family

  • approachable
    adjectiveB2
  • unapproachable
    adjectiveC1
  • approaching
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All five words describe how something is done, but they sit at different points on a scale of structure. 'Way' is the most everyday and unspecific — 'her way of teaching' simply names a habit. 'Method' is more systematic, suggesting a series of clear steps that can be repeated and taught: a 'teaching method' has a name and a procedure. 'Technique' is narrower still, focused on the skill of doing one specific action well — a brushwork technique, a breathing technique. 'Strategy' is bigger and goal-driven, looking ahead at long-term aims, often in business or sport. 'Approach' sits in the middle: broader than a single technique, less rigid than a method, and shaped by attitude as much as by steps. You can say 'Her approach to grief is gentle' but not 'Her method of grief'.

approachmethodwaystrategytechnique

Common collocations

Nouns

  • approach to learning
  • approach to teaching
  • approach to the problem
  • approach of winter
  • approach to the bridge

Adverbs

  • cautiously
  • carefully
  • directly
  • slowly
  • quietly

Phrases

  • a fresh approach
  • a hands-on approach
  • a step-by-step approach
  • make an approach
  • the closest approach to

Prepositions

  • approach to
  • approach from
  • approach by
  • on approach

Etymology

LatinLate LatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

'Approach' came into English in the 1300s through Old French 'aprochier', which traces back to Late Latin 'appropiare' — built from 'ad-' (toward) and 'prope' (near). The earliest English uses were physical: to come near a place or a person. From the 1500s onward, the word stretched into time ('winter approaches') and into figurative territory: a way of dealing with a problem, or contacting someone with a request. The modern noun sense for 'method' is the youngest, becoming common only in the late 1800s as schools and businesses began to talk about how things were done.