# approach

/əˈpɹoʊtʃ/ (US) · /ɐpɹˈəʊtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/approach
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to move closer

verb · CEFR B1

to come near or nearer to something or someone in space or time.

For teachers: to draw nearer in physical proximity or temporal distance.

- The cat began to approach the bird very slowly so it wouldn't fly away.
- As the deadline for the project approached, the team increased their efforts to ensure every detail was finalised before the presentation.

### 2. to speak to someone

verb · CEFR B2

to speak to someone about something for the first time, often to ask for help or make a suggestion.

For teachers: to make a proposal or request to someone; to initiate communication with a specific intent.

- I'm going to approach my boss about a pay rise next week.
- The charity approached several local businesses to secure sponsorship for the upcoming community festival.

### 3. to deal with a problem

verb · CEFR B2 · Academic

to start dealing with a problem or task in a particular way.

For teachers: to begin to deal with or consider a matter, task, or problem using a specific methodology.

- We need to approach this problem from a different angle to find a solution.
- The researchers approached the data analysis with a focus on long-term trends rather than isolated incidents.

### 4. a method

noun · CEFR B1 · Academic

a way of doing something or thinking about a problem.

For teachers: a particular way of considering or dealing with something; a methodology.

- The school uses a modern approach to teaching languages.
- The government's new approach to urban planning emphasises green spaces and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.

### 5. a physical path

noun · CEFR B2

a path, road, or way that leads to a place.

For teachers: a route or passage providing access to a specific location or building.

- The approach to the castle was a long, winding road through the forest.
- Security was tightened on all approaches to the stadium ahead of the international match.

### 6. aircraft landing

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the final part of a flight when an aircraft is coming in to land.

For teachers: the flight path and procedure followed by an aircraft immediately before landing.

- The pilot had to abort the approach because of heavy fog on the runway.
- The air traffic controller cleared the flight for a standard instrument approach despite the turbulent weather conditions.

Usage: Often used with the verb 'make' or 'clear for'.

## Examples

- We need to try a different approach to fix this broken computer.
- The school adopted a new teaching approach that focuses on group projects rather than traditional written exams.
- The committee's cautious approach to the merger frustrated investors who were hoping for a swift, aggressive expansion into the European market.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.