— approvedly , adv. — approvedness , n. — approvingly , adv.
/euh proohv"/ , v. , approved, approving .
v.t.
1. to speak or think favorably of; pronounce or consider agreeable or good; judge favorably: to approve the policies of the administration.
2. to consent or agree to: Father approved our plan to visit Chicago.
3. to confirm or sanction formally; ratify: The Senate promptly approved the bill.
4. Obs.
a. to demonstrate; show.
b. to make good; attest.
c. to prove by trial.
d. to convict.
v.i.
5. to speak or consider favorably (sometimes fol. by of ): Mother didn't approve of him. The boss wouldn't approve of the plan. He said that he approved.
[ 1300-50; ME a ( p ) proven aprover approbare, equiv. to ap- AP- 1 + probare to PROVE ]
Syn. 1. appreciate, esteem. APPROVE, COMMEND, PRAISE mean to have, and usually to express, a favorable opinion. TO APPROVE is to have a very good opinion, expressed or not, of someone or something: He approved the new plan. TO COMMEND is to speak or write approv-ingly, often formally and publicly, to congratulate or honor for something done: to commend a worker for a job well done. TO PRAISE is to speak or write, often in glowing and emotional terms, about one or more persons, actions, plans, etc.: to praise someone's courage. 2, 3 . authorize, endorse, validate.
Ant. 2, 3. reject.