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Meaning & use

approachable

adjective·Everyday

Last updated

UK/əˈprəʊtʃəbl/
US/əˈproʊtʃəbl/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparableapproving

    Friendly and easy to speak to, so that people feel comfortable bringing up questions or problems.

    Grammar: Describes people: an approachable manager. Often used with adverbs: very approachable.

    Patterns

    • approachable to someone
    • easy and approachable

    Our principal is approachable, so students often stop by her office.

    She seems stern, but she is surprisingly approachable once you say hello.

    A good doctor should be approachable and listen without hurrying.

  2. adjectivecomparable

    Possible to reach or get to, especially a place or a subject that can be understood without great difficulty.

    Grammar: Describes places or topics, often with by: approachable by boat.

    Patterns

    • approachable by something

    The cove is approachable only by boat at low tide.

    The book makes advanced physics approachable for ordinary readers.

    The old castle is approachable from the east road.

Word forms

comparativemore approachable
superlativemost approachable

Common combinations

remain approachable
Even as CEO, he remained approachable to junior staff.
warm and approachable
The new teacher is warm and approachable.
approachable manner
Her approachable manner put the nervous patients at ease.
seem approachable
He did not seem approachable after the argument.
make something approachable
The guide makes classical music approachable for beginners.

Synonyms and how they differ

friendly
Friendly describes warmth in general, while approachable specifically suggests that others feel free to start a conversation.
accessible
Accessible is broader and often applies to places, services or ideas, whereas approachable is usually about a person's manner.
affable
Affable is more formal and describes someone pleasantly polite in conversation, not necessarily open to being asked for help.
personable
Personable stresses an attractive, pleasing personality, while approachable stresses being easy to go to.

Opposites

unapproachablealoofstandoffish

Word family

approach verb
to come near, or to speak to someone about something
approachability noun
the quality of being easy to talk to
approachably adverb
in a friendly, easy-to-talk-to way
unapproachable adjective
cold or hard to talk to

Commonly confused: approachable or accessible?

approachable vs accessible

Accessible usually means easy to enter, reach or use, such as a building; approachable usually describes a person who is friendly.

Practice

The new coach is very ____, so the players feel free to share their worries with him.

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