approve
Definitions
To officially accept or sanction (a plan, request, etc.)
批准，核准
To have a positive opinion of something or someone (usually 'approve of')
赞同，赞许（常用 approve of）
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedap- (a form of ad-, toward) + prove (test, judge good). The root prob carried both 'test' and 'find good'; approve foregrounds the second. To approve is to test and judge favorably — which today splits into 'officially sanction' (approve a loan) and 'think well of' (approve of his choice).
Root prob still carries 14 more wordsUsage Guide
- approve vs approve of: 'approve a request' (no of) = officially authorize it. 'approve of someone's behavior' (with of) = think it is good. Mixing them changes the meaning: a manager who approves your leave is signing off; a manager who approves of your work admires it.
Example Sentences
- 1.
The board approved the budget after a long debate.
- 2.
Her parents don't approve of her new boyfriend.
- 3.
The drug still needs to be approved by regulators.
Easily Confused
approve vs endorse vs sanction — approve = give official permission or a favorable opinion. endorse = publicly back or recommend (a candidate, a product). sanction is tricky: it can mean 'officially approve' or, in the plural, 'penalize' (impose sanctions). When unsure, approve is the safe neutral choice.