Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary - approach

(approaches, approaching, approached) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. When you approach something, you get closer to it. He didn’t approach the front door at once... When I approached, they grew silent... We turned to see the approaching car slow down. VERB: V n, V, V-ing • Approach is also a noun. At their approach the little boy ran away and hid. ...the approach of a low-flying helicopter. N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp 2. An approach to a place is a road, path, or other route that leads to it. The path serves as an approach to the boat house. N-COUNT: usu N to n 3. If you approach someone about something, you speak to them about it for the first time, often making an offer or request. When Chappel approached me about the job, my first reaction was of disbelief... He approached me to create and design the restaurant... Anna approached several builders and was fortunate to come across Eddie. VERB: no cont, V n prep, V n to-inf, V n • Approach is also a noun. There had already been approaches from buyers interested in the whole of the group. N-COUNT: oft N from/to n 4. When you approach a task, problem, or situation in a particular way, you deal with it or think about it in that way. The Bank has approached the issue in a practical way... Employers are interested in how you approach problems. = tackle, address VERB: V n prep/adv, V n 5. Your approach to a task, problem, or situation is the way you deal with it or think about it. We will be exploring different approaches to gathering information. N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N to -ing/n 6. As a future time or event approaches, it gradually gets nearer as time passes. As autumn approached, the plants and colours in the garden changed. ...the approaching crisis. VERB: V, V-ing • Approach is also a noun. ...the festive spirit that permeated the house with the approach of Christmas. N-SING: usu N of n 7. As you approach a future time or event, time passes so that you get gradually nearer to it. We approach the end of the year with the economy slowing and little sign of cheer. VERB: V n 8. If something approaches a particular level or state, it almost reaches that level or state. Oil prices have approached their highest level for almost ten years... VERB: V n