Word
reaching
Phoneticsreach·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɹitʃɪŋ/
UK/ɹˈiːtʃɪŋ/
Definitions
01stretching out
B1 · Intermediate
v. the act of stretching out your arm or body to touch or grab something.
v. the present participle of 'reach', describing the physical extension of a limb or the body toward an object.
“She was reaching for the top shelf when the ladder started to wobble.”
“Reaching for the light switch in the unfamiliar corridor, he accidentally knocked a small ceramic vase off the side table.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02an attempt to grasp
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the physical movement you make when you try to catch or hold something.
n. the action of extending a part of the body to touch or grasp an object.
“With one final reaching of his arm, he managed to grab the rope.”
“The child's desperate reaching toward the balloon was met with disappointment as the wind carried it over the garden fence.”
03sailing across the wind
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Sports Technical
n. sailing a boat with the wind coming from the side rather than the front or back.
n. the act of sailing on a reach, where the wind is directed at the side of the vessel between close-hauled and running.
“The crew found that reaching was the fastest way to cross the bay in these conditions.”
“After rounding the first buoy, the yacht began reaching toward the finish line, gaining significant speed as the wind caught the sails from the beam.”
Usage
Often used in the context of competitive racing or navigation descriptions.
Real-World Examples
“Israeli forces have prevented Israeli and foreign activists from reaching Palestinian families whose homes have been surrounded by settlers for nearly a week in the occupied West Bank town of Qusra, south of Nablus.” “After averaging approximately eight outposts annually between 2012 and 2022, the number jumped to 32 in 2023, then 62 in 2024, reaching 86 in 2025.” “Spain is on the verge of reaching 50 million inhabitants , having seen a progressive rise in inhabitants despite dwindling birth rates, all thanks to an increase in immigration.” “Tanzid brought up his half-century shortly before the first drinks break of the day, reaching his 50 off 102 balls.” Etymology
From Middle English reching, rechyng, recchinge, rechand, from Old English rǣċende and reċċende (“reaching”), from Proto-Germanic raikijandz, present participle of raikijaną (“to stretch, reach”) and Proto-Germanic rakjandz, present participle of *rakjaną (“to stretch, straighten”). Equivalent to reach + -ing.
From Middle English rechynge, recchinge, from Old English rǣċing (“reaching, extending”), equivalent to reach + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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