approach

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to make advances to someone, usually with a proposal or suggestion

   I was approached by the President to serve as an adviser in foreign matters.

2. 2
   verb

   to come near in time

   Winter is approaching.

3. 3
   verb

   to move towards

   We were approaching our destination.

4. 4
   verb

   to begin to deal with

   They approached the task with enthusiasm.

5. 5
   verb

   to come near, resemble, come nearer in quality, or character

   The writing approaches that of an 18th-century author.

6. 6
   noun

   the act of drawing spatially closer to something

   the hunter's approach scattered the geese

7. 7
   noun

   a relatively short golf shot intended to put the ball onto the putting green

   The tournament ended when the last golfer's approach rolled over the green and right past the hole.

8. 8
   noun

   ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation

   The best approach to the problem is to draw up a list of pros and cons.

Etymology

From Middle English approche (“approach, arrival”), from approchen, aprochen (“to come or go near, approach; to adjoin, be close by; to enter (someone’s) presence; to be or become involved; to reach (a certain state); to arrive; to befall, happen to; to become similar to, resemble; to be a match for (someone)”); see etymology 1.