ap ‧ prov ‧ al S2 W3 /əˈpruːv ə l/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: adjective : ↑ approving ≠ ↑ disapproving , ↑ approved ; verb : ↑ approve ≠ ↑ disapprove ; noun : ↑ approval ≠ ↑ disapproval ; adverb : ↑ approvingly ≠ ↑ disapprovingly ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] when a plan, decision, or person is officially accepted:
The president has already given his approval to the plan.
It is just three months since we received official approval to go ahead with the project.
A company cannot be sold without the approval of the shareholders.
The bill will be submitted for approval by Congress.
The President would appoint the Council of Ministers, subject to the approval of the National Assembly.
The IMF has given its seal of approval to the government’s economic strategy.
appointments requiring parliamentary approval
2 . [uncountable] formal when someone likes something or someone and thinks that they are good OPP disapproval :
A murmur of approval passed through the crowd.
nod/smile/clap etc in approval
They clapped their hands in approval.
His ideas have won widespread public approval (=many people agree with them and think they are good) .
Does the design meet with your approval (=do you like it?) ?
Children are always seeking approval from their parents.
She looked to Greg for approval.
3 . on approval if you buy something on approval, you have the right to return it to the shop if you decide you do not want it
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 1)
■ verbs
▪ give/grant approval
Congress gave final approval on October 8.
▪ get/receive/obtain/win approval
For over twenty years it was impossible for NASA to get approval for this mission.
▪ require/need approval
A multi-million pound project will require approval by the full board of directors.
▪ seek approval
You will need to make an appointment with the bank to seek approval for the loan.
▪ submit something for approval (=give a plan, piece of writing etc to someone in authority for them to consider or approve)
The final design will be submitted for approval next month.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + approval
▪ formal/official approval
Finance ministers gave their formal approval in July.
▪ parliamentary approval
The law is still awaiting parliamentary approval.
▪ Congressional approval
His appointment was subject to Congressional approval.
▪ government/Senate approval
It takes an average of twelve years for a successful drug to go from initial research to final government approval.
▪ planning approval (=official approval needed before building something)
The construction work will be subject to planning approval.
▪ final approval
The document’s final approval had to come from the Pope.
▪ parental approval
Students must first obtain parental approval.
■ phrases
▪ be subject to approval (=be dependent upon someone’s approval before happening)
The merger is subject to approval by shareholders.
▪ a seal/stamp of approval (=official approval)
You must not make decisions without your manager’s seal of approval.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS (for Meaning 2)
▪ meet with sb’s approval
This type of dancing does not meet with their approval.
▪ win approval
His condemnation of the war won widespread approval.
▪ seek sb’s approval
He constantly sought his father’s approval.
▪ look to somebody for approval
They all admired Gordon and looked to him for approval.
■ adjectives
▪ public approval (=from ordinary people)
The policies met with a great deal of public approval.
▪ universal approval (=from everyone)
His appointment has been met with almost universal approval.
▪ general approval (=from most people)
McGill’s views did not meet with general approval.
■ phrases
▪ a nod/smile/glance/look of approval
‘You’ve thought of everything,’ she said with a smile of approval.
▪ a roar/murmur/chorus of approval
There were murmurs of approval from the crowd.
▪ words of approval
a mother’s words of approval