From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishapproachapproach1 /əˈprəʊtʃ $ əˈproʊtʃ/ ●●● S2 W1 AWL noun 1 method [countable]WAY/METHOD a method of doing something or dealing with a problemapproach to a new approach to teaching languages He decided to adopt a different approach and teach the Bible through story-telling. This book takes an unorthodox approach to art criticism. organizations which take a positive approach to creative thinking► see thesaurus at method, way2 ask [countable]ASK FOR something/ASK somebody TO DO something a request from someone, asking you to do something for them They made a direct approach to the minister of education.3 → the approach of something4 movement towards [uncountable]NEAR movement towards or near to something Our approach frightened the birds.5 path/road [countable]TOWARDS a road, path etc that leads to a place, and is the main way of reaching it Soldiers were guarding the approaches to the city. an approach road6 aircraft [countable] the final part of a plane’s flight, before it lands at an airport It was clear to land so we made our approach.COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1 : a method of doing something or dealing with a problemadjectivesa new/different/fresh/alternative approacha new approach to pollution controla positive approach (=showing that you believe something can be done)A positive approach is essential in beating pain.a creative approach (=thinking of new ideas and methods)International business requires a more creative approach.a general/broad approachMany governments have pursued this general approach to economic policy.a direct approachWe would do better to adopt a direct approach and tackle the problem at its source.a practical approachWomen often take a more practical approach.a pragmatic approach (=dealing with problems in a way that is not limited by a strict set of principles)a pragmatic approach to management problemsa balanced approach (=considering everything in a sensible way)The president spoke in favour of a calm and balanced approach.a tough approach (=dealing with something in a severe way)The council adopted a tough approach to fighting crime.a cautious approachChina has followed a more cautious approach.a flexible approach (=using different methods if necessary)We have a flexible approach to our clients’ requirements.a traditional/conservative approachThis is different from the traditional approach to high school teaching.an unorthodox approach (=not the same as people usually use)It’s an unorthodox approach that her doctor doesn’t recommend for everyone.a scientific/systematic approacha scientific approach to the study of languageverbshave an approachIn the US they have a somewhat different approach.take/adopt an approach (=use an approach)There were concerns that Beijing would take a tougher approach.use an approachThis approach has been used for a number of major investigations.try an approachSome scientists have been trying an alternative approach.prefer/favour an approachI prefer a traditional approach.
Examples from the Corpus
approach• the government's aggressive approach to the question of homelessness• Hanson made an approach regarding a company buyout.• The footballer said he'd received an approach from another team, and that he was considering the offer.• This rough-and-ready reasoning is upside-down to the slow, thorough, in-control approach most industrial designers bring to complex machinery.• Each of the delegates suggested a different approach to the problem.• The plane was on its final approach to the Birmingham airport when it crashed.• Range after range of mountains passed beneath as we bucked and swayed on the final approach.• I was too inexperienced and nervous to understand the obviousness of his approach.• Space scientists had to adopt a whole new approach to design and construction.• An official approach has been made but the hostages are unlikely to be released.• The company needs to adopt a much more radical approach.• Today's approach to raising children is very different from 40 years ago.• But he had questions about the situational approach as well.• The approach to the house was an old dirt road.• The third approach to merger policy is the cost-benefit approach.• But this approach was not merely avoided, it was deliberately shunned.• In this approach, the search for pathology and its roots are secondary.• The main advantage of this approach is its simplicity.• But his timid approach has left him vulnerable to attacks from all sides.positive approach• Courage, Confidence and a Positive Approach. 5.• It is a positive approach and unlikely to result in the speaker talking in an unnatural way.• Ways of building on these strengths to achieve a more positive approach to assessing elders will be returned to later.• The new President signals the advent of a new generation with a new and more positive approach.• And to find some positive approach to future developments in my country.• It's just the positive approach that the pupils and school need.• Stressing the positive approach to social interaction is an important part of teaching children to be sociable.• Colangelo and his staff are taking the positive approach as far as season tickets are concerned.made ... approach to• For systems-oriented software such as data communications and systems-management products, the company has made the systems-based approach to pricing more flexible.• Once again I would stress that neither my client nor I have made any approach to the company apart from this letter.• He made no approaches to her of that kind.• I made a dream-like approach to the Tea Plantation and bounced it in roughly.• Rose made a speedy approach to him.approach road• Road facelift: A five-figure facelift is planned for a key approach road to Middlesbrough town centre.• The main Ovenroom is called Heavenblock, its main approach road Heavenstreet.• Naturally, a new approach road to the Civic Centre was required.• Medway and Bridge Roads were the only approach roads to the Gillingham Gate.• Downing Square became a large open space, with the street reduced to a short approach road from Whitehall.• I gave him a final wave just before we turned into the approach road leading to the village.• They turned right out of the approach road to the car park, drove past Richmond Station and turned left on to the A316.• We headed back to the dockyards and on to the approach road for the Blackwall tunnel.made ... approach• Such approaches are best made by telephone rather than in writing and will only rarely be successful.• No woman ever born, no statue ever made, could approach it.• Once again I would stress that neither my client nor I have made any approach to the company apart from this letter.• Circling once to see where they wanted us to land, he made the approach.• I made a dream-like approach to the Tea Plantation and bounced it in roughly.• Rose made a speedy approach to him.• At 9.15am Wood made a trial approach with the under carriage down.approachap‧proach2 ●●● S3 W2 AWL verb 1 move towards [intransitive, transitive]TOWARDS to move towards or nearer to someone or something As I approached the house, I noticed a light on upstairs. She heard footsteps approaching.2 ask [transitive]ASK FOR something/ASK somebody TO DO somethingCONTACT somebody to ask someone for something, or ask them to do something, especially when you are asking them for the first time or when you are not sure if they will do itapproach somebody for something Students should be able to approach teachers for advice.approach somebody/something about (doing) something The charity approached several stores about giving food aid. I have already been approached by several other companies (=offered a job, work etc). → approachable3 future event [intransitive, transitive]NEAR if an event or a particular time approaches, or you approach it, it is coming nearer and will happen soon She was then approaching the end of her career. The time is fast approaching when we will have to make a decision. With winter approaching, many animals are storing food.4 deal with [transitive]DEAL WITH to begin to deal with a situation or problem in a particular way or with a particular attitudeapproach a problem/task/matter etc It might be possible to approach the problem in a different way.5 almost [intransitive, transitive]ALMOST to be almost equal to something temperatures approaching 35° C He’s never had anything approaching a normal life.→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
approach• Temperatures could approach 100° today.• We walked silently, so they would not hear us approach.• Everyone prepared celebrations as the year 2000 approached.• The company confirmed that it had been approached about a merger.• They had approached Barlow to see if he would participate in the charity event.• She was approached by a waiter.• Nash has already been approached by several pro football teams.• We could hear footsteps approaching down the corridor.• Several people approached Fleming as he left the hall.• This man was exceedingly presentable, a bit too perfect a specimen for me to approach, I felt.• Most of us think the teachers are easier to approach in junior high school.• Try to relax before the exam, and you'll approach it in a better frame of mind.• Three people approached me, asking for money.• I have been approached regarding the possibility of selling the building to a startup company.• Warren was in his late fifties and approaching retirement.• Will you be approaching the bank for a loan?• When I approached, the deer immediately ran away.• Toward evening, the weather turned and, as they approached the dock, the sky was gray and misty.• As she climbed out and approached, the door was opened from within.• An hour later, taxiing across the glimmering surface of the lake, the floatplane approached the jetty.• Researchers are looking for new ways to approach the problem.• The train slowed down as it started to approach the station.• As they approached the wood, a deer ran out of the trees.• I don't think refusing to negotiate is the right way to approach this problem.• A tourist approached us and asked us the way to the theatre.• Fellow workers approach with any problems they might have and managers as well throughout the North.approach somebody/something about (doing) something• Remember though that these ponies are wild animals and shouldn't be approached.• Goodrich had approached Rohr about a friendly buyout several months ago, he said.• The company confirmed that it had been approached about a merger.• A supreme baseliner, he approached the net about as frequently as Michael Heseltine visits a coal mine.• So far, he said, no drug company has approached his group about developing drugs based on the discovery.• With our new approach we shattered about every Centralism precept there is.• Derek Jefferson held the pin for Harley's approach putt of about fifty feet.• Nothing said there, one feels, will approach the truth about Flight 103.• After several weeks of operating with two ten-minute rest periods, researchers approached the workers about making an-other change.fast approaching• By now the sky has begun to darken overhead, and night is fast approaching.• She was, of course, keenly interested in cinema, and her White House film festival was fast approaching.• That deadline is fast approaching, and from the end of December Jubilee 2000 will be no more.• They made love as though tomorrow was fast approaching, and with it imminent departure.• The hedge was fast approaching, looking too big, far too big for Buttons to jump on his own.• And we are fast approaching many of the Earth's limits.• It's hard to believe, but we're fast approaching the dessert hour.approach a problem/task/matter etc• It is also an ideal opportunity to meet with members of other district societies to learn how they approach matters.• An experienced maintenance engineer approaches a problem as follows: 1.• Secondly, lawyers and economists approach problems from different perspectives.• A traditional computer approaches a problem in a primitive way. 1.• Equally important, the need for rigour in approaching a problem of this sort came across nicely.Origin approach1 (1300-1400) Old French aprochier, from Late Latin appropiare, from Latin ad- “to” + prope “near” 