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

Food and Drug Administration to firms marketing kratom-related products, 7-OH has not been approved by the FDA and is not permitted to be marketed or sold as a drug or additive to food or drinks.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Although the company reports that pipeline repairs are complete, the lines have not yet been approved for restart by state regulators.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“That goes back to a budget law that was approved by Congress in 1986 and signed by President Ronald Reagan.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Outside work that doesn’t conflict with a worker’s job, such as running a nonprofit or selling real estate, is often approved.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Thune and other Republicans blame Senate Democrats for failing to provide the votes to approve a spending bill passed by the House to reopen the government through Nov. 21.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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