approve

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): /əˈpruːv/, SAMPA: /@"pru:v/
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ʌˈpruv/, SAMPA: /V"pruv/

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form approve

Third-person singular approves

Past tense approved

Past participle approved

Present participle approving

1. (transitive) If a person in power approves something such as a plan, a sale, a rule, etc., they say it is OK and it may go ahead.
   • Synonyms: permission, allow and permit
   • Antonyms: reject and disapprove

   Voters there have approved a plan to remove most cars from the city center.

   The Food and Drug Administration has not approved it for medical use.

   The plan must now be approved by the president.

2. (intransitive) If you approve of something, you think it is good.
   • Synonyms: accept and agree
   • Antonym: disagree

   The latest survey shows that only 32 percent approve of the way the president is handling his job.

Related words

• approving
• approval
• approvingly