approval
uh-PROO-vuhl
Approval (noun) means Official permission or agreement that something is acceptable. Example: “The project needs approval from the city council.”
noun
1
Official permission or agreement that something is acceptable.
"The project needs approval from the city council."
"She looked to her parents for approval before making the decision."
"The new bridge cannot be built until it has received final approval."
How to use approval
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAgreement or permission that something is good, correct, or allowed.
Common pairings
seek approval
gain approval
nod of approval
pending approval
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Word forms
- Plural
- approvals
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The project needs _____ from the city council.
Etymology
From approve plus the noun-forming suffix -al.
Synonyms
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permission
endorsement
agreement
sign-off
go-ahead
sanction
accedence
allowance
assent
assentment
authorization
consent
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for approval
See all rhymes for approval →Frequently asked questions
What does “approval” mean?
The word “approval” means official permission or agreement that something is acceptable. In plain terms, agreement or permission that something is good, correct, or allowed.
How do you pronounce “approval”?
“Approval” is pronounced uh-PROO-vuhl (/əˈpɹuvəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “approval” in a sentence?
Here is “approval” used in a sentence: “The project needs approval from the city council.”
What is another word for “approval”?
Words with a similar meaning to “approval” include sanction, accedence, allowance, assent, assentment and authorization.
What is the opposite of “approval”?
The opposite of “approval” — its antonyms — are disapprobation, nonassent and disapproval.
What part of speech is “approval”?
“Approval” is a noun.
Is “approval” a common word?
“Approval” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between approval and permission?
Permission is being allowed to do something — the granting of the right to act. Approval is a formal agreement that something is acceptable or good. They often overlap, but approval can also express positive judgment without granting rights, as when you approve of a plan you admire but do not control.
What are the types of approval?
Approval can be formal or informal. Official approval includes things like planning permission, regulatory sign-off, or a manager authorising a request. Social approval is subtler — the acceptance, praise, or agreement of other people. In business and law, approval is usually a documented, deliberate act rather than a passing opinion.
What is the opposite of approval?
The main opposites are disapproval and rejection. Disapproval means judging something to be unacceptable or wrong, while rejection means formally refusing it. Related terms include denial, when permission is withheld, and veto, the power to block a decision outright. Which fits depends on whether the setting is personal or official.
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