approaching

[əˈpɹəʊtʃɪŋ]

[əˈpɹoʊtʃɪŋ]

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approach

Approaching means getting closer to someone or something.

When we say that someone is approaching a place, it usually means they are walking towards it. Imagine you're waiting for a friend at the bus stop - as soon as you see them coming down the street, you know they're approaching. But approaching can also be used in other ways. For instance, if a storm is approaching, it's getting closer to where we are and might affect us soon. In business or work, an idea or new project is approaching when it's almost ready to start being implemented. We can also approach someone - that means we're getting close to talking to them, sharing our thoughts with them, or asking for something.

How common is "approaching"?

Word approaching is considered rare in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.

Definitions

verb

To come or go near, in place or time; to draw nigh; to advance nearer.
To draw near, in a figurative sense; to make advances; to approximate.
Example: as he approaches to the character of the ablest statesman.
To come near to in place, time, character or value; to draw nearer to.
Example: "Would counsel please approach the bench?" asked the judge.
To make an attempt at (solving a problem or making a policy).
To speak to, as to make a request or ask a question.
To take approaches to.
To bring near; to cause to draw near.