approve
uh-PROOV
Approve (verb) means to officially agree to or accept something as satisfactory. Example: “The council approved the plans for a new library on the high street.”
verb
1
To officially agree to or accept something as satisfactory.
"The council approved the plans for a new library on the high street."
"The bank approved her loan application."
"The board approved the budget for next year."
2
To think well of something or someone; to be pleased with.
"I don't approve of people talking loudly on their phones on trains."
"My grandmother approves of anyone who eats a proper breakfast."
"Her parents didn't approve of her new job."
How to use approve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially say yes to something, or to feel that something is good or acceptable.
Common mistake
Used with "of" when talking about feelings ("approve of"), but not when talking about official sign-off ("approve the budget," not "approve of the budget").
Common pairings
approve of
approve a request
approve a plan
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like approve.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- approves
- Past tense
- approved, approven
- Archaic forms
- approvest, approvedst, approveth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The council _____ the plans for a new library on the high street.
Etymology
From Old French aprover, from Latin approbare, from ad- + probare, "to test, prove good" — the same root as probe and probable.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for approve
See all rhymes for approve →Frequently asked questions
What does “approve” mean?
The word “approve” means to officially agree to or accept something as satisfactory. In plain terms, to officially say yes to something, or to feel that something is good or acceptable.
How do you pronounce “approve”?
“Approve” is pronounced uh-PROOV (/əˈpɹuːv/ in IPA).
How do you use “approve” in a sentence?
Here is “approve” used in a sentence: “The bank approved her loan application.”
What is another word for “approve”?
Words with a similar meaning to “approve” include agree with, approbate, back, support and think much of.
What is the opposite of “approve”?
The opposite of “approve” — its antonyms — are contradict, disapprove and oppose.
What part of speech is “approve”?
“Approve” is a verb.
Where does the word “approve” come from?
The word “approve” comes from Latin. From Old French aprover, from Latin approbare, from ad- + probare, "to test, prove good" — the same root as probe and probable.
Is “approve” a common word?
“Approve” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between approve and approve of?
Approve with a direct object means to officially agree to or accept something: "the board approved the budget." Approve of means to think well of something personally: "her parents approve of her plans." Adding the preposition shifts the meaning from official authorization to personal opinion.
What is the difference between approve and endorse?
To approve is to officially agree to or accept something as satisfactory, often as the final step in a process, while to endorse is to declare public support for it, often to influence others — committees approve proposals, celebrities endorse products. Endorse also has the separate technical meaning of signing the back of a check.
What is the difference between approve and accept?
Accept means to take or agree to something offered, and anyone can do it. Approve implies authority: an official or body formally agreeing that something is satisfactory and may go ahead. A friend accepts your invitation, while a regulator approves a new drug.
