approve

verb ap·prove \ ə-ˈprüv \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of approve

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 ¹sanction 4c) to : ratify

Congress approved the proposed budget.

3 obsolete : prove, attest

intransitive verb

: to take a favorable view

doesn't approve of fighting

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See approve defined for kids

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 of approve from the Web

If the General Assembly approves the waiver, the company would sign a long-term lease with New Britain, which owns the woodland north of Tilcon’s quarry in Plainville.

— don stacom, Courant Community, "Environmentalists Mustering Tilcon Quarry Opposition," 5 Apr. 2018
If approved, the merger is expected to take effect in early July.

— julie steinberg, WSJ, "Elliott Management Reveals Over $1 Billion Stake in Hyundai, Seeks Clearer Road Map," 4 Apr. 2018
This legislation has passed the House, but was heavily amended in a Senate committee and so will have to go back to the House for a second vote even if the full Senate approves it.

— julia o'donoghue, NOLA.com, "Louisiana Senate passes first bill to address sexual misconduct, will consider others," 4 Apr. 2018
If approved, the southern half of Lake Drive would be narrowed along with the northern half of the road during a resurfacing project that is expected to occur between July 9 and Sept. 28.

— jeff rumage, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Shorewood to vote on narrowing south end of Lake Drive," 4 Apr. 2018
If the budget is approved, the override would add $488 to the annual property tax bill of an average single-family home valued at $559,800.

— john laidler, BostonGlobe.com, "It’s a yes for $4.15m override in Reading," 4 Apr. 2018
If approved, the mayor’s salary would increase, effective July 1, to $18,200 from $7,800 and the council members’ salaries would increase to $7,800 from $5,200.

— erika butler, The Aegis, "Havre de Grace proposes to more than double mayor's salary; council would get big raises, too," 3 Apr. 2018
The purchase of Tribune, if approved, would give Sinclair control of WGN America, an entertainment-focused cable channel available in about 80 million homes.

— callum borchers, Washington Post, "The implied threats in Trump’s tweets about CNN and Sinclair," 3 Apr. 2018
If approved by the village board, the parking pilot program is expected to run for nine months.

— steve schering, chicagotribune.com, "Last chance: Final opportunity ahead for Oak Park residents to weigh in on parking pilot program," 3 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'approve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of approve

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

approve Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of 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.