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Definition of approve

approve

/əˈpruːv/
ap · prove
Adverb:approvingly
•
Adjective:approving
•
Past Simple:approved
•
Past Participle:approved
•
Present Participle:approving
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approve Lexical Profile

approve Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To officially agree to, accept, or authorize a plan, request, or proposal.

Example

"The city council voted unanimously to approve the new public library budget."

2

To believe that someone or something is good, acceptable, or satisfactory (usually followed by 'of').

Example

"Her parents strongly approve of her decision to pursue a career in medicine."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for approve
Antonyms
View all antonyms for approve

Word Nuance & Usage

When used transitively ('approve the budget'), it means to officially authorize or ratify; when used intransitively with 'of' ('approve of the decision'), it means to hold a favorable personal opinion.

• Rhymes for approve

• Nearby Words

appropriator
approvable
approval
approve
approved
approver
approving

Word Origin & Etymology

From Middle English approven, borrowed from Old French aprover, from Latin approbare ('to assent to as good, test'), formed from ad- ('to') and probare ('to test, prove'), from probus ('good, upright').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Approve. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/approve
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