adj
Common
approaching
uh-PROHT-shihng
Approaching (adj) means coming closer in time or place; happening soon. Example: “The approaching storm sent everyone hurrying indoors.”
adj
1
Coming closer in time or place; happening soon.
"The approaching storm sent everyone hurrying indoors."
"We could hear the approaching train long before we saw it."
"Shops were busy with people preparing for the approaching holidays."
noun
1
The act of getting closer to something.
"The slow approaching of the dog frightened the small child."
"The approaching of winter meant shorter days and colder mornings."
"The approaching of storm clouds made everyone nervous."
How to use approaching
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting nearer, whether in time (an approaching deadline) or space (an approaching car).
Common pairings
approaching storm
approaching deadline
fast approaching
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Word forms
- Plural
- approachings
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The _____ storm sent everyone hurrying indoors.
Etymology
On the surface, made up of approach + -ing.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for approaching
See all rhymes for approaching →Frequently asked questions
What does “approaching” mean?
The word “approaching” means coming closer in time or place; happening soon. In plain terms, getting nearer, whether in time (an approaching deadline) or space (an approaching car).
How do you pronounce “approaching”?
“Approaching” is pronounced uh-PROHT-shihng (/əˈpɹoʊt͡ʃɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “approaching” in a sentence?
Here is “approaching” used in a sentence: “Shops were busy with people preparing for the approaching holidays.”
What part of speech is “approaching”?
Depending on how it is used, “approaching” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “approaching” a common word?
“Approaching” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “approaching” have?
“Approaching” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: coming closer in time or place; happening soon.
What is the difference between approaching and upcoming?
Both approaching and upcoming describe something happening soon, but approaching emphasises steady movement closer in time or place, while upcoming simply marks an event as scheduled ahead. You might say a storm is approaching, but a concert is upcoming.
Which preposition follows approaching?
When used as a verb, approaching usually takes a direct object with no preposition, as in "approaching the city," though "approaching to" appears in older or formal usage. In everyday English, say "approaching the deadline" rather than "approaching to the deadline."
When should you use approaching instead of nearing?
Approaching and nearing both mean coming closer, and they are often interchangeable, but approaching can sound slightly more formal and can also imply arrival is imminent. Nearing tends to stress the reduction of remaining distance or time, as in "nearing completion."
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