approve Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb give sanction to
    O.K.; okay; sanction.
    • I approve of his educational policies
  2. verb judge to be right or commendable; think well of

WordNet

Ap*prove" transitive verb
Etymology
OE. aproven, appreven, to prove, OF. aprover, F. approuver, to approve, fr. L. approbare; ad + probare to esteem as good, approve, prove. See Prove, and cf. Approbate.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Approved present participle & verbal noun Approving
Definitions
  1. To show to be real or true; to prove. Obs.
    Wouldst thou approve thy constancy? Approve First thy obedience. Milton.
  2. To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically.
    Opportunities to approve . . . worth. Emerson.
    He had approved himself a great warrior. Macaulay.
    'T is an old lesson; Time approves it true. Byron.
    His account . . . approves him a man of thought. Parkman.
  3. To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; as, to approve the decision of a court-martial.
  4. To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of; as, we approve the measured of the administration.
  5. To make or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance.
    The first care and concern must be to approve himself to God. Rog.
    ✍ This word, when it signifies to be pleased with, to think favorably (of), is often followed by of.
    They had not approved of the deposition of James. Macaulay.
    They approved of the political institutions. W. Black.
Ap*prove" transitive verb
Etymology
OF. aprouer; (L. ad) + a form apparently derived fr. the pro, prod, in L. prodest it is useful or profitable, properly the preposition pro for. Cf. Improve.
Definitions
  1. (Eng. Law) To make profit of; to convert to one's own profit; said esp. of waste or common land appropriated by the lord of the manor.

Webster 1913