approve

[uh-proov]

verb (used with object)

approved, approving 

1. to speak or think favorably of; pronounce or consider agreeable or good; judge favorably.

   to approve the policies of the administration.

   Synonyms: esteem, appreciate

2. to consent or agree to.

   Father approved our plan to visit Chicago.

   Synonyms: permit, allow
   Antonyms: deny, veto, prohibit, outlaw, interdict, disallow

3. to confirm or sanction formally; ratify.

   The Senate promptly approved the bill.

   Synonyms: validate, sanction, endorse, confirm, authorize
   Antonyms: veto, prohibit, outlaw, interdict, disallow, deny

4. Obsolete.

   1. to demonstrate; show.

   2. to make good; attest.

   3. to prove by trial.

   4. to convict.

verb (used without object)

approved, approving 

1. to speak or consider favorably (sometimes followed byof: )

   Mother didn't approve of him.

   The boss wouldn't approve of the plan.

   He said that he approved.

approve

¹

/ əˈpruːv /

verb

1. to consider fair, good, or right; commend (a person or thing)

2. (tr) to authorize or sanction

3. obsolete,  (tr) to demonstrate or prove by trial

approve

²

/ əˈpruːv /

verb

1. (tr) law to improve or increase the value of (waste or common land), as by enclosure

Other Word Forms

• approvingly adverb
• approvedly adverb
• approvedness noun
• nonapproved adjective
• preapprov verb
• reapprove verb
• self-approved adjective
• self-approving adjective
• unapproved adjective
• unapproving adjective
• unapprovingly adverb
• well-approved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of approve¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English a(p)proven, from Anglo-French, Old French aprover, from Latin approbāre, equivalent to ap- ap- ¹ + probāre “to prove ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of approve¹

C14: from Old French aprover, from Latin approbāre to approve, from probāre to test, _prove

Origin of approve²

C15: from Old French approuer to turn to advantage, from prou advantage

Synonym Study

Approve, commend, praise mean to have, and usually to express, a favorable opinion. To approve is to have a very good opinion, expressed or not, of someone or something: He approved the new plan. To commend is to speak or write approvingly, often formally and publicly, to congratulate or honor for something done: to commend a worker for a job well done. To praise is to speak or write, often in glowing and emotional terms, about one or more persons, actions, plans, etc.: to praise someone's courage.

Example Sentences

Poundland recently avoided collapsing into administration after its turnaround plan was approved days before the chain was due to run out of money.

From BBC

The VA has included $530 million for construction on the West L.A. campus in its current budget request, but it’s unclear whether that amount will be approved by Congress, Sherman said.

From Los Angeles Times

Under Kennedy's leadership, the US Food and Drug Administration recently approved a round of Covid booster shots for fewer groups - only for adults 65 and older and people with medical conditions.

From BBC

Council leaders will be asked to approve recommendations next Wednesday, which will put tighter controls over spending and identify additional savings.

From BBC

In November, voters approved Measure A, a half-cent tax to fight homelessness, which was an increase from the previous quarter-cent levy.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accept 
• advocate 
• agree 
• authorize 
• back 
• certify 
• confirm 
• endorse 
• establish 
• license 
• okay 
• permit 
• push for www.thesaurus.com
• ratify 
• recommend 
• sanction 
• sign 
• support 
• uphold