Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Coming nearer in space or time: Used to describe something that is moving closer physically or an event that will happen soon.

2. Noun:

   • The act of moving closer to something: The action of drawing near in space.
   • The process of becoming nearer in time: The temporal quality of an event getting closer.
   • The event of one object coming closer to another: An instance of spatial convergence.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • We heard the sound of approaching footsteps. (We heard the sound of footsteps coming nearer.)
  • The approaching deadline caused everyone to work faster. (The deadline that is coming soon caused everyone to work faster.)

• Noun:

  • The plane's smooth approaching made for a perfect landing. (The plane's smooth act of moving closer made for a perfect landing.)
  • With the approaching of winter, the days get shorter. (With the process of winter becoming nearer, the days get shorter.)

Advanced Usage

• "The approaching of": A formal or literary way to refer to the imminent arrival or onset of something.
  • The approaching of the new millennium was met with both excitement and anxiety. (The imminent arrival of the new millennium was met with both excitement and anxiety.)

Variants and Related Words

• Approach (verb/noun): The base form. As a verb, it means to come near. As a noun, it can mean a method or the act of drawing near.

  • We watched the storm approach. (We watched the storm come near.)
  • She has a unique approach to problem-solving. (She has a unique method for problem-solving.)

• Approachable (adjective): Friendly and easy to talk to; accessible.

  • The manager is very approachable. (The manager is very friendly and easy to talk to.)

Synonyms

• Imminent: Likely to happen very soon (for the adjective form).
• Forthcoming: About to happen or appear (for the adjective form).
• Advancing: Moving forward (for the noun form related to movement).

Related Phrases

• On the approaching horizon: Used figuratively to describe something that will happen or become relevant soon.
  • Major changes are on the approaching horizon for the company. (Major changes will happen soon for the company.)

Adjective

1. of the relatively near future
   • the approaching election
   • this coming Thursday
   • the forthcoming holidays
   • the upcoming spring fashions

Noun

1. the act of drawing spatially closer to something
   • the hunter's approach scattered the geese
2. the temporal property of becoming nearer in time
   • the approach of winter
3. the event of one object coming closer to another