(~es, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
When you ~ something, you get closer to it.
He didn’t ~ the front door at once...
When I ~ed, they grew silent...
We turned to see the ~ing car slow down.
VERB: V n, V, V-ing
•
Approach is also a noun.
At their ~ the little boy ran away and hid.
...the ~ of a low-flying helicopter.
N-COUNT: usu sing, with supp
2.
An ~ to a place is a road, path, or other route that leads to it.
The path serves as an ~ to the boat house.
N-COUNT: usu N to n
3.
If you ~ someone about something, you speak to them about it for the first time, often making an offer or request.
When Chappel ~ed me about the job, my first reaction was of disbelief...
He ~ed me to create and design the restaurant...
Anna ~ed 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 ~es from buyers interested in the whole of the group.
N-COUNT: oft N from/to n
4.
When you ~ a task, problem, or situation in a particular way, you deal with it or think about it in that way.
The Bank has ~ed the issue in a practical way...
Employers are interested in how you ~ problems.
= tackle, address
VERB: V n prep/adv, V n
5.
Your ~ to a task, problem, or situation is the way you deal with it or think about it.
We will be exploring different ~es to gathering information.
N-COUNT: usu with supp, oft N to -ing/n
6.
As a future time or event ~es, it gradually gets nearer as time passes.
As autumn ~ed, the plants and colours in the garden changed.
...the ~ing crisis.
VERB: V, V-ing
•
Approach is also a noun.
...the festive spirit that permeated the house with the ~ of Christmas.
N-SING: usu N of n
7.
As you ~ a future time or event, time passes so that you get gradually nearer to it.
We ~ the end of the year with the economy slowing and little sign of cheer.
VERB: V n
8.
If something ~es a particular level or state, it almost reaches that level or state.
Oil prices have ~ed their highest level for almost ten years...
VERB: V n