adj
Common
approved
uh-PROOVD
Approved (adj) means Officially accepted or given permission. Example: “The medicine was finally approved for use by doctors.”
adj
1
Officially accepted or given permission.
"The medicine was finally approved for use by doctors."
"Only approved visitors may enter the building without an escort."
"The plan is now approved, so the builders can start work on Monday."
2
Tested and shown to work well over time.
"This is a tried and approved method for baking bread."
"Grandma's approved remedy for a cold is honey and lemon in hot water."
"Using a map and compass is an old, approved way to find your route."
How to use approved
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGiven official permission, or proven to work well.
Common pairings
approved by
government-approved
a tried and approved method
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The medicine was finally _____ for use by doctors.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for approved
See all rhymes for approved →Frequently asked questions
What does “approved” mean?
The word “approved” means officially accepted or given permission. In plain terms, given official permission, or proven to work well.
How do you pronounce “approved”?
“Approved” is pronounced uh-PROOVD (/əˈpɹuːvd/ in IPA).
How do you use “approved” in a sentence?
Here is “approved” used in a sentence: “The medicine was finally approved for use by doctors.”
What part of speech is “approved”?
“Approved” is an adjective.
Is “approved” a common word?
“Approved” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “approved” have?
“Approved” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: officially accepted or given permission.
What is the difference between approved and accepted?
Approved means officially sanctioned by someone with authority — a manager, board, or regulator has given formal permission. Accepted is broader and softer, and can simply mean received or agreed to without any official stamp. Approval implies a decision-maker signing off, while acceptance can be quiet or even passive.
What is the opposite of approved?
The main opposites are 'rejected,' 'denied,' and 'declined,' meaning permission was refused. 'Disapproved' and 'unapproved' also work — unapproved suggesting something never went through the process, while rejected means it was formally turned down. The right choice depends on whether a decision was actually made against it.
What does it mean when something is approved?
It means a person or body with authority has formally reviewed the thing and given it official permission or acceptance. An approved loan, plan, or product has passed the required checks and is cleared to go ahead. In effect, approval turns a request into a green light.
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