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approach

approach

14 3.4
A polite first request or offer to someone
  • noun
  • /əˈproʊtʃ/
translation icon : acercamiento
  • They presented their approach for negotiating the terms of the contract.

How was your first approach with her?

Examples

  • States in the region took different approaches to solve this problem.

    Academic text (2003)
  • And I shared with her this whole new approach to her character.

  • So is this the right approach for the markets right now?

  • So the best approach always is to talk to the man.

  • And what questions does this model or approach raise for you?

  • But she is ready, willing, and able to change her approach to living.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • And this is where his approach is actually quite distinctive.

  • I prefer to collect my data with a more scientific approach.

  • Indeed, the Clinton approach to economic security was widely supported in elite circles.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Indeed, BP took exactly that approach when negotiating the Seafood Compensation Program.

    Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

proposal
vsapproach
817 2.9

A plan or suggestion put forward for others to consider

is more tentative and aimed at eliciting a quick response or starting contact
suggestion
vsapproach
759 1.4

An idea or plan offered for others to consider

is specifically tentative and meant to prompt a response or start a relationship
advance
vsapproach
  • NSFW
62 7.0

An attempt to start a romantic or sexual relationship

is used more generally to begin talks or relationships, not only romantic attempts
overture
vsapproach
  • Formal
20 6.8

A first polite offer to start talks

covers starting negotiations or relationships as well as eliciting a response
feeler
vsapproach
12 6.9

A small suggestion to test how people will react

is aimed more at opening talks or starting a relationship than just testing feelings

Compounds

A different way of doing something that no one else uses

approach shot
  • Specialized
1 6.1

A short golf shot hit to land the ball on the putting green

A strategy that tries many different things at the same time

approach path
  • Specialized
1 5.5

The route a plane follows when going down to land, especially the last part before it touches the ground

approach pattern
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A path a plane follows while preparing to land at an airport

landing approach
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A path a plane follows as it comes down to land

A calm and sensible way of thinking in difficult or stressful situations

A way of using math to study or solve problems

A practical, strict way to handle problems to get results

A general way of dealing with something that ignores small details

8.6

An old, rough way of doing something that ignores modern methods

cazh approach
  • Informal
9.9

A relaxed, informal way of doing things without strict rules

9.9

A way of doing things that is stubborn and refuses to change

A way of doing something that avoids a direct answer or clear action

A way of doing things that encourages competition and rewards only the strongest

A shallow, amateur way of doing something without deep commitment

A way of acting that uses little effort

Using two different actions at the same time to reach a goal

A policy that prefers talks and peaceful solutions instead of force in foreign or economic affairs

9.3

An overly academic way of solving problems that is impractical

To use all available resources and keep nothing in reserve

A way of working that uses too many rules, meetings, and paperwork

arty approach
  • Informal
7.2

A creative, slightly showy way of making things look unusual or special

A way of doing things that uses people or resources only when needed

approach trench
  • Specialized
8.9

A narrow trench that lets soldiers move from rear to front safely

A passionate, persuasive way of telling people about ideas or beliefs

A rude name for a libertarian policy seen as foolish

longtail approach
  • Specialized
8.6

A business method that sells many different products to small groups instead of a few big markets

A fixed, routine way of doing something that lacks creativity

A way of studying many things that makes differences seem very large

A way of doing things guided by one person or idea

A way of doing things that includes many cultures in schools and communities

9.9

A way of supporting freedom that looks simple but ignores real problems

7.5

A way controllers use radar to guide pilots by radio to land in low visibility

A way of acting that people see as typical of men

8.8

A way of doing things that refuses change and new ideas

idiographic approach
  • Specialized
9.9

An approach that studies each person or case in detail to understand their unique experience

To treat an adult like a child without a good reason

A very strict way of managing people and enforcing rules

A strict way of leading that shows little patience

A very risky way of acting that can harm yourself or others

A personal, creative way of thinking often used by people with autism or ADHD

A way of arguing that acts doubtful but does not check new evidence fairly

9.9

A method that looks scientific but has no real evidence

9.9

A method that uses numbers and data to study a problem or trend

A way of looking at something too simply that misses important details

9.1

A way of thinking that supports conservative political ideas

8.2

A different, slightly strange way of doing something to get new ideas

9.9

A style of rule like the Pope's with strong central control and religious power

9.9

A focus on small local issues and interests instead of wider public needs

9.9

A way of speaking or acting that sounds moral and like a preacher

An overly hopeful way of dealing with problems that ignores bad signs

An aggressive, unfair way of trying to gain an advantage over others in business

9.1

A person who appears briefly, makes quick changes, and gives no further help

Sunyavadi approach
  • Specialized
9.9

A Buddhist way of thinking that teaches letting go of attachments to find inner calm

A quick, careless way of doing something that causes mistakes

Stalinoid approach
  • Literature
9.9

A strict, unfair way of leading that does not allow people to disagree

8.2

A very slow way of doing something that wastes time

A method with two levels that do different things

How Direct

proposal
817 2.9
approach
14 3.4
suggestion
759 1.4

Surface Forms

approach singular
approaches plural

Etymology

Approach comes from Latin parts ad- 'to' and prope 'near', which gives the picture of making a first move toward someone. So an approach can be a tentative offer or suggestion meant to begin a talk or relationship.