Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense approves, present participle approving, past tense, past participle approved
1. verb
If you approve of an action, event, or suggestion, you like it or are pleased about it.
Not everyone approves of the festival. [VERB + of]
I approved of the proposal. [VERBof noun]
2. verb
If you approve of someone or something, you like and admire them.
You've never approved of Henry, have you? [VERB + of]
I didn't approve of his manner. [VERBof noun]
3. verb
If someone in a position of authority approves a plan or idea, they formally agree to it and say that it can happen.
The Russian Parliament has approved a program of radical economic reforms. [VERB noun]
MPs approved the Bill by a majority of 97. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: agree to, second, allow, pass More Synonyms of approve
4. verb
If a product or person is approved by an official organization, they are declared to be of a good enough standard to be used or employed.
We have three suppliers in all who are approved by the Organic Farm Food Association. [beVERB-ed]
[Also VERB noun]
5. See also approved, approving
approve in British English1
(əˈpruːv)
verb
1. (whenintr, often foll by of)
to consider fair, good, or right; commend (a person or thing)
2. (transitive)
to authorize or sanction
3. (transitive) obsolete
to demonstrate or prove by trial
Derived forms
approvingly (apˈprovingly)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Old French aprover, from Latin approbāre to approve, from probāre to test, prove
approve in British English2
(əˈpruːv)
verb
(transitive) law
to improve or increase the value of (waste or common land), as by enclosure
Word origin
C15: from Old French approuer to turn to advantage, from prou advantage
approve in American English
(əˈpruv)
verb transitiveWord forms: apˈproved or apˈproving
1.
to give one's consent to; sanction; confirm
2.
to be favorable toward; think or declare to be good, satisfactory, etc.
3. Archaic
to prove or show
often used reflexively
4. Obsolete
to prove by testing
verb intransitive
5.
to give approval; have a favorable opinion (of)
SYNONYMY NOTE: approve, the most general of the following terms, means simply to regard as good or satisfactory;, endorse adds the further implication of active support or advocacy [to endorse a candidate for office]; sanction implies authoritative approval [a practice sanctioned by the charter]; certify implies official approval because of compliance with the requirements or standards[a certified public accountant]; ratify implies official approval of that which has been done by one's representative [to ratify a peace treaty]
OPPOSITES: disapprove, reject
Derived forms
approvable (apˈprovable)
adjective
approver (apˈprover)
noun
approvingly (apˈprovingly)
adverb
Word origin
ME aproven < OFr aprover < L approbare < ad-, to + probare, to try, test < probus, good
Examples of 'approve' in a sentence
approve
We would not approve of such actions.
Joanna Blythman SHOPPED: The Shocking Power of British Supermarkets (2004)
The constitution required that the senior pastor approve any actions adopted by the board.
Christianity Today (2000)
What about the people you do not like or approve of?
Atkinson, Jacqueline M Coping with Stress at Work (1988)
It is a judgment about whether we like or approve of the things that people do.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
Such polling of attitudes as has been undertaken suggests that the public quite approves of strong action to protect health.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
If the action were approved, heads and their deputies would walk out during the autumn term.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
You don't have to like or approve of these regimes.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Suppose you have one hundred people who do like and approve of you, can you bask in this warm feeling?
Atkinson, Jacqueline M Coping with Stress at Work (1988)
This involves assessing the pay package at the time when it is agreed or approved, or its renewal is agreed or approved.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
I just hoped she'd like me and approve.
The Sun (2014)
Or, while seeming in some way to agree with or approve of it, they subtly condemned.
Jackson, Rosie Mothers who Leave (1994)
I certainly did not always like - or approve - his behaviour.
Bethune, Helen Positive Parent Power (1991)
In other languages
approve
British English: approve /əˈpruːv/ VERB
If you approve of something or someone, you like them or think they are good.
to be approved by sb (= authorized) 被某人批准 (bèi mǒurén pīzhǔn)
如果某当权者 approve 某个计划或者行动，他正式表示认可并且同意此事可以进行。例如，某委员会 approve 一个决议，即允许执行该决议。 At least the idea is now accepted and has even been approved by Parliament. 若某当权者 approve 某物，比如某个建筑或产品，表示他们对它感到满意并允许投入使用或销售。如果某一药品被 approved，医生可以将它应用于临床治疗。 ... premises which have been approved by the local authority ... 如果你 approve of 某种行为或事情，则表示你很乐意看到它已经发生或者即将发生。 I don't like the whole idea, I didn't approve of this meeting ... His return to the office was widely approved of. 如果你 approve of 某人或者某物，例如某本书或某部电影，则表示你喜欢他它或对他它赞赏有加。 Do you think your father will approve of me? ... He did not approve of my taste in pictures.
(verb)
Definition
to authorize or agree to
MPs approved the bill by a majority of 97.
Synonyms
agree to
second
He seconded the motion against fox hunting.
allow
Talking amongst yourselves is not allowed.
pass
The Senate passed the bill by a vote of seventy-three to twenty-four.
accept
I do not accept that there is any kind of crisis in the industry.
confirm
Mrs Suarez is due to be confirmed as President on Friday.
recommend
Ask your doctor to recommend a suitable treatment.
permit
I was permitted to bring my camera into the concert.
Our constitution does not permit the sending of troops.
sanction
He may seem ready to sanction the use of force.
advocate
They advocate fewer government controls on business.
bless
endorse
I can endorse this statement wholeheartedly.
uphold
The crown court upheld the magistrate's decision.
mandate
authorize
We are willing to authorize a police raid.
ratify
They have yet to ratify the treaty.
go along with
subscribe to
I've personally never subscribed to the view.
consent to
buy into (informal)
validate
countenance
The planners will not countenance any changes to the exterior of the barn.
rubber stamp
accede to
Why didn't you accede to our demands at the outset?
give the go-ahead to (informal)
give the green light to
assent to
concur in
greenlight
O.K. or okay (informal)
Opposites
veto
,
disallow
,
discountenance
phrase
See approve of something or someone
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accede to
Why didn't you accede to our demands at the outset?
Synonyms
agree to,
accept,
grant,
endorse,
consent to,
give in to,
surrender to,
yield to,
concede to,
acquiesce in,
assent to,
comply with,
concur to
in the sense of accept
Definition
to consider something as true
I do not accept that there is any kind of crisis in the industry.
Synonyms
acknowledge,
believe,
allow,
admit,
adopt,
approve,
recognize,
yield,
concede,
swallow (informal),
buy (slang),
affirm,
profess,
consent to,
buy into (slang),
cooperate with,
take on board,
accede,
acquiesce,
concur with
in the sense of advocate
Definition
to recommend a course of action publicly
They advocate fewer government controls on business.