1ap·proach 
/əˈproʊtʃ/ verb
ap·proach·es; ap·proached; ap·proach·ing /əˈproʊtʃ/ verb 1 a : to move or become near or nearer to something or someone [+ obj] ▪ The cat approached the baby cautiously. ▪ We are approaching [=nearing] our destination. [no obj] ▪ The cat approached cautiously. ▪ Ease off the gas pedal to slow down as the bend in the road approaches.
b : to move or become near or nearer in time to something [+ obj] ▪ We are approaching the end of the fiscal year. ▪ She is approaching retirement. [=she will soon be retiring from her job] [no obj] ▪ Your birthday is approaching fast. = Your birthday is fast approaching. [=your birthday is soon] 2 [+ obj] a : to get close to (an amount or level)
▪ This weekend we're expecting temperatures approaching 100 degrees. ▪ The success rates approach 90 percent.
b : to be almost the same as (something or someone)
▪ We were never treated with anything even remotely approaching rudeness. [=no one was at all rude to us] ▪ He has a wild laugh that sometimes approaches hysteria. ▪ a reproduction that approaches the quality of the original painting ▪ When it comes to cooking Italian food, no one can approach her. [=no one is as good at cooking Italian food as she is] 3 [+ obj] : to start talking to (someone) for some purpose (such as to ask a question or make a request)
▪ The supervisor is quite easy to approach, so don't hesitate to bring up any problems you have. ▪ We were advised to never be too aggressive when approaching a potential client. — often used as (be) approached ▪ He was approached about the job but he didn't take it. ▪ I was approached by a young boy asking me to make a donation. 4 [+ obj] : to begin to deal with or think about (something)
▪ When writing, consider the way your reader will approach the text. ▪ She approached the problem from a different angle. ▪ I will approach the idea with an open mind.
b : to move or become near or nearer in time to something [+ obj] ▪ We are approaching the end of the fiscal year. ▪ She is approaching retirement. [=she will soon be retiring from her job] [no obj] ▪ Your birthday is approaching fast. = Your birthday is fast approaching. [=your birthday is soon]
▪ This weekend we're expecting temperatures approaching 100 degrees. ▪ The success rates approach 90 percent.
b : to be almost the same as (something or someone)
▪ We were never treated with anything even remotely approaching rudeness. [=no one was at all rude to us] ▪ He has a wild laugh that sometimes approaches hysteria. ▪ a reproduction that approaches the quality of the original painting ▪ When it comes to cooking Italian food, no one can approach her. [=no one is as good at cooking Italian food as she is]
▪ The supervisor is quite easy to approach, so don't hesitate to bring up any problems you have. ▪ We were advised to never be too aggressive when approaching a potential client. — often used as (be) approached ▪ He was approached about the job but he didn't take it. ▪ I was approached by a young boy asking me to make a donation.
▪ When writing, consider the way your reader will approach the text. ▪ She approached the problem from a different angle. ▪ I will approach the idea with an open mind.
