approached

Approached is the past tense and past participle of the verb approach. It means to move nearer in space or time, to come close to someone or something, or to begin to deal with a matter. Physically, a vehicle or person can approach another; figuratively, a solution can approach a problem or a deadline can approach.

Usage and grammar: Approach is a regular verb. Present tense forms are approach and approaches; past tense and past participle are approached. It can be transitive, as in “The driver approached the gate,” or intransitive, as in “The train approached.” It is also used with objects indicating contact or confrontation, for example “She approached the microphone” or “They were approached by a recruiter.”

Etymology: The word derives from Old French aprocher, from a- (toward) + proche (near); the noun and verb senses share the same origin. The English form entered through Middle English from Old French, with sense development to include figurative uses such as dealing with problems or opportunities.

See also: The related noun form is approach; related adjectives include approachable and approachability. In many contexts, approached conveys completed action in the past or a moment of initiating contact, and it remains common across formal and informal registers.