approve
Approve (verb) means to officially agree to or accept something as satisfactory. Example: “The bank approved her loan application.”
How to use approve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo officially say yes to something, or to feel that something is good or acceptable.
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").
Word forms
approved past tense, approven past tense, approved past tense, approve plural, approved plural, approves singular, approve singular, approved singular, approvest singular, approvedst singular, approveth singular, approves singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bank _____ her loan application.
Etymology
From Old French aprover, from Latin approbare, from ad- + probare, "to test, prove good" — the same root as probe and probable.
Synonyms
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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.