Etymology Map
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Approach

3 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means to come nearer; a way of dealing with something

Where does the word "approach" come from? It comes from Late Latin appropiare, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
appropiare
Late Latin · ancient
"to come near"
'ad-' plus 'prope', near, the root of 'propinquity'
2
Stage 2 of 3
aprochier
Old French · medieval
"to draw near"
used of troops advancing on a town
3
Stage 3 of 3
approach
English · 1300s
"to come near"
'approach' as a method dates from the 1900s
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Read the full story

Approach’s story begins in Late Latin: appropiare meant “to come near.” 'ad-' plus 'prope', near, the root of 'propinquity'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as aprochier. Used of troops advancing on a town. It reached English by 1300s as approach. 'approach' as a method dates from the 1900s. Today, approach means to come nearer; a way of dealing with something.