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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Approve: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：officially agree to (approve)

approve 🔊

/əˈpruːv/

When someone in charge says "yes" to a plan or request, it becomes official.

Illustration of a manager approving a document with a red APPROVED stamp in a modern office.

officially agree to 🔊

➕

/əˈfɪʃəli əˈɡriː tuː/

To give formal or official permission or consent, making a plan, request, or action valid.

📁 Category：Laws & Regulations 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'probare' (to test, prove). To move towards testing something as good.

💡 Mnemonic

A PROfessional says yes to PROVe it's good. A-PROVE.

📖 Example

The manager had to approve our team's request before we could attend the training conference. 🔊 The manager needed to officially agree to our team's request so we could go to the training conference.

🔗 Collocations

approve a proposal – to give official agreement to a suggested plan

approve the budget – to formally accept a financial plan

approve an application – to officially accept a formal request

🔄 Synonyms

authorize (v.) – to give official permission for something

endorse (v.) – to give official or public support and approval

sanction (v.) – to give official permission or approval for an action

🚫 Antonyms

reject (v.) – to refuse to accept, agree to, or approve something

deny (v.) – to refuse to agree to or grant a request

veto (v.) – to use official power to reject a decision or proposal

🌱 Derivatives

approval (n.) – the act of agreeing to something or the positive opinion about something

disapprove (v.) – to have or express an unfavorable opinion

disapproval (n.) – the expression of an unfavorable opinion

📖 Cultural Story

Derives from Latin 'approbare' via Old French 'aprover'. It originally meant 'to prove as good'. In modern business culture, seeking 'approval' from superiors is a formal cornerstone of corporate decision-making and workflow.

Meaning 2：consider acceptable (approve)

approve 🔊

/əˈpruːv/

To think that something is good, right, or suitable.

Illustration of a friend giving a thumbs-up to show approval of a new hairstyle in a cozy cafe.

consider acceptable 🔊

➕

/kənˈsɪdər əkˈseptəbəl/

To regard someone or something favorably or with acceptance based on personal judgment or standards.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

My mom doesn't approve of me staying up late to play video games; she thinks it's unhealthy. 🔊 My mom does not consider it acceptable for me to stay up late playing video games because she believes it's bad for health.

🔗 Collocations

approve of someone's decision – to think someone's choice is good or correct

approve of the idea – to think a suggestion or concept is suitable

🔄 Synonyms

endorse (v.) – to declare one's public approval or support

commend (v.) – to praise formally or officially

applaud (v.) – to show strong approval, especially by clapping

🚫 Antonyms

disapprove (v.) – to have or express an unfavorable opinion

condemn (v.) – to express complete disapproval, typically in public

frown upon () – to disapprove of something