to come near or nearer to

The cars slowed down as they approached the intersection.

to come near to in quality, character, time, or condition; to come within range for comparison

As a poet he hardly approaches Keats.

to present, offer, or make a proposal or request to

to approach the president with a suggestion.

to begin work on; set about

to approach a problem.

to make advances to; address.

to bring near to something.

to come nearer; draw near

A storm is approaching.

to come near in character, time, amount, etc.; approximate.

the act of drawing near

the approach of a train.

nearness or close approximation

a fair approach to accuracy.

any means of access, as a road or ramp

the approaches to a city.

the method used or steps taken in setting about a task, problem, etc.

His approach to any problem was to prepare an outline.

the course to be followed by an aircraft in approaching for a landing or in joining a traffic pattern

The plane's approach to the airport was hazardous.

Sometimes, approaches. a presentation, offer, or proposal.

approaches, Military . works for protecting forces in an advance against a fortified position.

Also called approach shot. Golf . a stroke made after teeing off, by which a player attempts to get the ball onto the putting green.

Bowling .

the steps taken and the manner employed in delivering the ball

He favors a four-step approach.

the area behind the foul line, from which the ball is delivered.

noun

departure , distancing , leaving

verb

depart , distance , go away , leave

noun

access , accession , advance , advent , avenue , coming , drawing near , entrance , gate , landing , nearing , passage , path , reaching , road , way , appeal , application , offer , overture , proposal , proposition , attitude , concept , course , crack , fling , go * , idea , lick , manner , means , method , mode , modus operandi , new wrinkle , procedure , program , shot , stab , style , technique , whack * , wrinkle * , convergence , imminence , nearness , attack , line , plan , tack

verb

advance , approximate , bear , be comparable to , be like , belly up to , border , buzz * , catch up , close in , come , come at , come close , compare with , contact , converge , correspond to , creep up , draw near , equal , gain on , go toward , impend , loom up , match , meet , move in on , move toward , near , progress , reach , resemble , surround , take after , threaten , verge upon , accost , address , advise , appeal to , apply to , beseech , confer , consult , entreat , feel , feel one out , give a play , give a tumble , greet , implore , make advance , make overture , make up to , plead , propose , sound out , speak to , supplicate , take aside , talk to , thumb , tumble , commence , embark , set about , start , undertake , border on , challenge , verge on , appeal , apply , petition , begin , enter , get off , inaugurate , initiate , institute , launch , lead off , open , set out , set to , take on , take up , access , adit , avenue , gate , landing , loom , onset , overture , passage , procedure , way