English dictionary



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English noun: approach

1. approach (act) ideas or actions intended to deal with a problem or situation


SamplesHis approach to every problem is to draw up a list of pros and cons.
An attack on inflation.
His plan of attack was misguided.


Synonymsattack, plan of attack


Broader (hypernym)conceptualisation, conceptualization, formulation


Narrower (hyponym)avenue

2. approach (act) the act of drawing spatially closer to something


SamplesThe hunter's approach scattered the geese.


Synonymsapproaching, coming


Broader (hypernym)motion, move, movement


Narrower (hyponym)access, closing, closure, landing approach, run-up

3. approach (artifact) a way of entering or leaving


SamplesHe took a wrong turn on the access to the bridge.


Synonymsaccess


Broader (hypernym)way


Narrower (hyponym)entrance, entranceway, entree, entry, entryway

4. approach (location) the final path followed by an aircraft as it is landing


Synonymsapproach path, glide path, glide slope


Broader (hypernym)air lane, airway, flight path, skyway


Part meronymapproach pattern, pattern, traffic pattern

5. approach (event) the event of one object coming closer to another


Synonymsapproaching


Broader (hypernym)motion, movement

6. approach (communication) a tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others


SamplesShe rejected his advances.


Synonymsadvance, feeler, overture


Broader (hypernym)proffer, proposition, suggestion

7. approach (attribute) the temporal property of becoming nearer in time


SamplesThe approach of winter.


Synonymsapproaching, coming


Broader (hypernym)timing

8. approach (attribute) a close approximation


SamplesThe nearest approach to genius.


Broader (hypernym)similarity

9. approach (act) a relatively short golf shot intended to put the ball onto the putting green


SamplesHe lost the hole when his approach rolled over the green.


Synonymsapproach shot


Broader (hypernym)golf shot, golf stroke, swing


Narrower (hyponym)chip, chip shot, pitch, pitch shot


Domain categorygolf, golf game


English verb: approach

1. approach (motion) move towards


SamplesWe were approaching our destination.
They are drawing near.
The enemy army came nearer and nearer.


ExamplesSam and Sue approach


Synonymscome near, come on, draw close, draw near, go up, near


Pattern of useSomething ----s.
Somebody ----s.
Somebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)come, come up


Narrower (hyponym)bear down on, bear down upon, close, crowd, drive up, edge in, edge up, push


Entailadvance, go on, march on, move on, pass on, progress


Verb groupapproach, come near

2. approach (stative) come near or verge on, resemble, come nearer in quality, or character


SamplesThis borders on discrimination!.
His playing approaches that of Horowitz.


Synonymsborder on


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Broader (hypernym)approximate, come close


Narrower (hyponym)converge

3. approach (social) begin to deal with


SamplesApproach a task.
Go about a difficult problem.
Approach a new project.


Synonymsgo about, set about


Pattern of useSomebody ----s VERB-ing


Broader (hypernym)act, move


Narrower (hyponym)confront, face, face up

4. approach (motion) come near in time


SamplesWinter is approaching.
Approaching old age.


Synonymscome near


Pattern of useSomething ----s.
Somebody ----s.
Somebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)come, come up


Narrower (hyponym)get on


Verb groupapproach, come near, come on, draw close, draw near, go up, near

5. approach (communication) make advances to someone, usually with a proposal or suggestion


SamplesI was approached by the President to serve as his adviser in foreign matters.


ExamplesThey approach him to write the letter


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)accost, address, come up to


Narrower (hyponym)hit









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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