approaches

IPA/əˈprəʊtʃ/

KK[əprˈotʃəz]IPA/əˈproʊtʃ/

approachespresent simple I / you / we / they
approacheses3rd person singular
approachesing-ing form
approachesedpast simple

1.verbtransitive / intransitiveB1

Definition

to move closer to a person or place, to get nearer to a point in time, or to come close to a particular number or level

Example

Anna approaches the ticket counter and asks for two seats near the front.

approaches + [place] for physical movement toward a location

The temperature outside is approaching forty degrees this afternoon.

Common collocations

approach cautiously
approach from behind
approach the door

Synonyms

near
more common in everyday speech; 'near' suggests getting close without necessarily reaching the target

Antonyms

withdraw
to move away from somewhere or someone

Grammar Patterns

approach + [place/person]

approach + [point in time]

approach + [number/level]

2.verbtransitiveB1

Definition

to begin working on a problem, task, or subject in a particular way, often with a plan or attitude in mind

Example

Eli approaches every new design task with a clear, careful plan.

approaches + [noun] + with + [manner]

Fatima approached the broken printer with a screwdriver and a steady hand.

Common collocations

approach a problem
approach with care
approach the subject of

Synonyms

tackle
implies more energy and determination in facing a problem
handle
suggests managing or dealing with rather than solving completely
address
more formal; often used about problems or official issues

Antonyms

ignore
to pay no attention to a problem rather than dealing with it

Grammar Patterns

approach + [problem/task/challenge]

approach + [something] + [adverb/prepositional phrase]

Usage Note

Object is usually a problem, task, or situation — not a person. Frequently used with a prepositional phrase describing the manner (e.g. 'with care', 'in a new way').

3.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to speak or write to a person or group, usually in order to ask for something or to make an offer

Example

Baraka approached the manager about picking up a few extra weekend shifts.

approach + [person] + about + [request]

Several tech firms have approached the inventor with generous offers to buy the patent.

Common collocations

approach directly
approach about [something]
be approached by

Synonyms

contact
broader — includes calls and emails without necessarily making a specific request
reach out to
phrasal verb, more informal and personal in tone

Antonyms

avoid
to stay away from contacting a particular person on purpose

Grammar Patterns

approach + [person] + about/for + [request]

approach + [institution] + to + [infinitive]

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (COME NEAR): this sense is about communication, not physical movement. The object is always a person or organisation.

Common Mistakes

He approached to me for help.

He approached me for help.

'approach' is transitive in this sense; no preposition is needed before the person you contact.

approachessingular
approachesesplural

1.nounB1

Definition

a particular way of thinking about a problem or of doing an activity

Example

The Watanabe family tried a new approach to saving money for their holiday.

an approach to + [-ing form]

Different teachers often have quite different approaches to keeping a class calm.

Common collocations

take an approach
a fresh approach
a hands-on approach
a different approach to

Synonyms

method
suggests a more systematic, step-by-step process
strategy
implies a carefully planned long-term course of action
technique
focuses on the specific skill or practical procedure used

Grammar Patterns

an approach to + [-ing form/noun]

2.nounB2

Definition

the event of someone or something moving closer in space or time

Example

The cat sat perfectly still and watched the dog's slow approach across the grass.

the + [possessive] + approach: a moving thing getting nearer

The approach of winter brought icy winds to the small mountain village.

Common collocations

the approach of winter
with the approach of night
the slow approach of

Synonyms

arrival
emphasises the moment of reaching, not the coming nearer beforehand

Antonyms

departure
the act of leaving a place rather than coming nearer to it

Grammar Patterns

the approach of + [something]

with the approach of + [event/time]

3.nounB2

Definition

an act of reaching out to someone to make a request, open talks, or present an offer

Example

The club made an approach to the young player about joining their team next season.

make an approach to + [person] + about + [topic]

Indra's approach to the bank for a loan was politely turned down after three days.

Common collocations

make an approach
receive an approach
a direct approach
an informal approach

Synonyms

overture
more formal; often suggests the opening move in negotiations or relationships
proposal
focuses on the content of what is being offered, not the act of reaching out itself

Grammar Patterns

make an approach to + [person/organisation]

receive an approach from + [person/organisation]

Usage Note

Often used in the pattern 'make an approach to [someone]'. Distinguish from noun/1 (WAY OF DOING): this sense is about communication, not methods of handling tasks.

Common Mistakes

She made an approach for the company.

She made an approach to the company.

use 'to', not 'for', when naming who you are contacting.

4.nounB2

Definition

a road, path, or way that gives entry to a particular place

Example

The only approach to the old castle is a narrow stone bridge.

approach to + [place]: physical access route

Soldiers in heavy coats guarded every approach to the main government building.

Common collocations

the main approach
block the approach
the eastern approach

Synonyms

access
broader — can mean the right or ability to enter, not just the physical path
entrance
the specific opening or door, not the path that leads to it

Antonyms

exit
a way out of a place rather than a way in

Grammar Patterns

the approach to + [place]

approaches to + [place]

Usage Note

Often used in the plural ('approaches') when referring to multiple access points.

5.nounC1

Definition

the thing that comes closest to being like another thing without being exactly the same as it

Example

This dessert is the closest approach to real Italian tiramisu I have ever found.

the closest approach to + [something]

The translator could not find a good English approach to the old Japanese expression.

Common collocations

the closest approach to
the nearest approach to
a fair approach to

Synonyms

approximation
more technical; used mainly in maths and science

Grammar Patterns

the closest/nearest approach to + [something]

Usage Note

Almost always used in the pattern 'the closest/nearest/best approach to [something]'.

Word family

approach
verbB1
approach
nounB1
approachable
adjectiveB2
unapproachable
adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

When you talk about how someone does something, these five words overlap but each brings a different flavour. An approach is the broadest — it covers your whole attitude and general plan, not just the steps. A method is more systematic: a set of ordered steps you follow, like a teaching method. A strategy implies you are playing a longer game, weighing options against an opponent or challenge — think of a military strategy or a business strategy. A technique is narrower still: the specific skill or physical action, such as a painting technique or a breathing technique. Way is the most everyday choice, used in casual speech ('I like the way you think'), whereas means focuses on the instrument or resource used to reach a goal ('a means of transport'). Compare: 'Her approach to parenting is warm and flexible' (overall philosophy) versus 'Her technique for calming a crying baby is to hum softly' (one specific action).

method ↗strategy ↗technique ↗way ↗means ↗

Common collocations

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchMiddle English

Approach came into English through Old French 'aprochier', which descended from Late Latin 'appropiare' — a verb built from 'ad-' (meaning 'toward') and 'prope' (meaning 'near'). The original idea of 'coming nearer' has stayed central to the word across all its modern senses, whether you are nearing a place, a deadline, a method for solving a problem, or a person you want to ask for something.

First known use

14th century

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

approaches

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approaches

approaches — verb

1. to move closer to a person or place, to get nearer to a point in time, or to com

Grammar Patterns

2. to begin working on a problem, task, or subject in a particular way, often with

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

3. to speak or write to a person or group, usually in order to ask for something or

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

approaches — noun

1. a particular way of thinking about a problem or of doing an activity

Grammar Patterns

2. the event of someone or something moving closer in space or time

Grammar Patterns

3. an act of reaching out to someone to make a request, open talks, or present an o

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Usage Note

Common Mistakes

4. a road, path, or way that gives entry to a particular place

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Usage Note

5. the thing that comes closest to being like another thing without being exactly t

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Prepositions

Etymology

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