approve

verb

ap·​prove ə-ˈprüv 

approved; approving

transitive verb

1

: to have or express a favorable opinion of

couldn't approve such conduct

2

a

: to accept as satisfactory

hopes she will approve the date of the meeting

b

: to give formal or official sanction (see sanction entry 1 sense 4c) to : ratify

Congress approved the proposed budget.

3

obsolete : prove, attest

intransitive verb

: to take a favorable view

doesn't approve of fighting

Synonyms

• accredit
• approbate
• authorize
• clear
• confirm
• finalize
• formalize
• homologate
• OK
• okay
• ratify
• sanction
• warrant

Choose the Right Synonym for approve

approve, endorse, sanction, accredit, certify mean to have or express a favorable opinion of.

approve often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration.

the parents approve of the marriage

endorse suggests an explicit statement of support.

publicly endorsed her for Senator

sanction implies both approval and authorization.

the President sanctioned covert operations

accredit and certify usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards.

the board voted to accredit the college

must be certified to teach

Examples of approve in a Sentence

I don't care if all the other parents are letting their kids do it; I still don't approve.

The state has approved the building plans, so work on the new school can begin immediately.

Your supervisor must approve the report before it can be sent.

Recent Examples on the Web

The county budget is expected to be approved at the Quorum Court meeting Thursday. —Mike Jones, arkansasonline.com, 27 Nov. 2023

During the cabinet debate Tuesday to approve the first break in fighting since the war began on Oct. 7, Netanyahu made clear that a vote for the deal was not a vote for lasting peace. —Steve Hendrix, Washington Post, 27 Nov. 2023

But there's a growing contingent of Republicans who'd like Israel aid approved on its own, as the House has already done. —Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 27 Nov. 2023

Metformin has long been beneficial—and is approved—for people with diabetes. —Ali Finney, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2023

The audience approved, giving him a rousing ovation. —Don Norcross, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Nov. 2023

The Rich Cream Everyone from Hailey Bieber to Margot Robbie approve of this super rich facial moisturizer. —Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 26 Nov. 2023

The final but unofficial totals in the five-eighths-cent tax vote, which has been in effect since voters approved it in 2017, were: For1,490 Against1,959 The tax will sunset Sept. 30, 2024. —I.c. Murrell, arkansasonline.com, 15 Nov. 2023

Had the council not approved Tuesday’s compromise, allowable increases would have been higher: up to 7% as a base, or up to 9% if landlords pay utilities. —Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French apruer, approver, from Latin approbare, from ad- + probare to prove — more at prove

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 3

Phrases Containing approve

• pre-approve

• pre-approve

Kids Definition

approve

verb

ap·​prove ə-ˈprüv 

approved; approving

1

: to think well of

2

: to accept as satisfactory

approvingly

-ˈprü-viŋ-lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

approve

transitive verb

ap·​prove

approved; approving

: to give formal or official sanction to : ratify

Congress approved the proposed budget