Approach Meaning
/əˈpɹəʊt͡ʃ/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo come or go near, in place or time; to move toward; to advance nearer; to draw nigh.
verbTo play an approach shot.
Sentence Examples
We suggested Kyoritsu Bussan approach you for assistance.
I will show you a new approach to foreign language learning.
She took the wrong approach in her dealings with them.
CEFR Practice Quiz
As the deadline nears, we need a new ____ to solve this urgent problem.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The cat decided to ____ the bowl of milk very slowly and cautiously.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English aprochen, borrowed from Old French aprochier (modern French approcher), from Late Latin appropiāre, a verb based on Latin prope (“near”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pro- (a variant of *per- (“before, in front; first”)) + *-kʷe (“suffix forming distributives from interrogatives”)).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Approach thou beacon [the Sun] to this vnder gloabe,
That by thy comfortable beames I may
Peruſe this letter, nothing almoſt ſees my wracke
But miſerie."
— c. 1603–1606 (date written), [William Shakespeare], […] His True Chronicle Historie of the Life and Death of King Lear and His Three Daughters. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Nathaniel Butter, […], published 1608, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
"And if ſo be that the kings wrath ariſe, and hee ſay vnto thee, wherefore approched ye ſo nigh vnto the city when yee did fight? Knew yee not that they would ſhoot from the wall?"
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 2 Samuel 11:20, column 2:
"And let vs conſider one another to prouoke vnto loue, and to good workes: Not forſaking the aſſembling of ourſelues together, as the manner of ſome is: but exhorting one another, and ſo much the more, as ye ſee the day approching."
— 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Hebrews 10:24–25, column 1:
"It beckoned Scrooge to approach, which he did. When they were within two paces of each other, Marley's Ghost held up its hand, warning him to come no nearer. Scrooge stopped."
— 1843 December 19, Charles Dickens, “Stave I. Marley’s Ghost.”, in A Christmas Carol. […], London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, pages 35–36:
"The descent continues, still more steeply to Dundee (Tay Bridge), and approaching from the bridge itself this sharp descent gives the curious appearance that the station is below the level of the firth."
— 1947 January and February, O. S. Nock, “"The Aberdonian" in Wartime”, in Railway Magazine, page 7:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
As the deadline nears, we need a new ____ to solve this urgent problem.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The cat decided to ____ the bowl of milk very slowly and cautiously.