(often + of) to regard a person, action, etc favourably
to give formal or official sanction to (something); to ratify
to accept (something) as satisfactory
The repairs were inspected and approved
NAmer to have or express a favourable opinion of (something)
archaic to show (e.g. oneself) to be something
Cornelia … approved herself so discreet a matron, so affectionate a mother — Dryden
approvingly adv
[Middle English approven via Old French from Latin approbare to judge to be good, from ap-1 + probare: see prove]