Printer Friendly
The Free Dictionary
904,583,325 visitors served.
?
Dictionary/
thesaurus
Medical
dictionary
Legal
dictionary
Financial
dictionary
Acronyms
 
Idioms
Encyclopedia
Wikipedia
encyclopedia
?

approving

   Also found in: Legal, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
ap·prove  (-prv)
v. ap·proved, ap·prov·ing, ap·proves
v.tr.
1. To consider right or good; think or speak favorably of.
2. To consent to officially or formally; confirm or sanction: The Senate approved the treaty.
3. Obsolete To prove or attest.
v.intr.
To show, feel, or express approval: didn't approve of the decision.

[Middle English approven, from Old French aprover, from Latin approbre : ad-, ad- + probre, to test (from probus, good; see per1 in Indo-European roots).]

ap·prova·ble adj.
ap·proving·ly adv.
Synonyms: approve, endorse, sanction, certify, accredit, ratify
These verbs mean to express a favorable opinion or to signify satisfaction or acceptance. Approve means to consider right or good, but it can also denote official consent: "The colonel or commanding officer approves the sentence of a regimental court-martial" Charles James.
Endorse implies the public expression of support: The senator endorsed the candidate by issuing a press release.
Sanction usually implies official authorization: The privilege of voting is a right sanctioned by law.
Certify and accredit imply official approval based on compliance with requirements or standards: "The proper officers, comparing every article with its voucher, certified them to be right" Benjamin Franklin. The board of education will accredit only institutions that have a sufficiently rigorous curriculum.
To ratify is to invest officially with legal authority: "Amendments . . . shall be valid . . . when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States" U.S. Constitution, Article V.
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.approvingapproving - the formal act of approving; "he gave the project his blessing"; "his decision merited the approval of any sensible person"
adoption, acceptance, acceptation, espousal - the act of accepting with approval; favorable reception; "its adoption by society"; "the proposal found wide acceptance"
support - aiding the cause or policy or interests of; "the president no longer has the support of his own party"; "they developed a scheme of mutual support"
backing, patronage, championship, backup - the act of providing approval and support; "his vigorous backing of the conservatives got him in trouble with progressives"
admiration, appreciation - a favorable judgment; "a small token in admiration of your works"
reward, reinforcement - an act performed to strengthen approved behavior
Adj.1.approvingapproving - expressing or manifesting praise or approval; "approbative criticism"; "an affirmative nod"
favorable, favourable - encouraging or approving or pleasing; "a favorable reply"; "he received a favorable rating"; "listened with a favorable ear"; "made a favorable impression"

approving

?Page tools
Printer friendly
Cite / link
Email
Feedback
Add definition
? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
The clerk took the card and, obviously not approving of what he read on it, went to the door.
The cardinal made an approving gesture, and retraced his route with the same precautions he had used incoming.
How quick come the reasons for approving what we like
 
Dictionary/thesaurus browser? ? Full browser
 
 
Dictionary, Thesaurus, and Translations
?

Disclaimer | Privacy policy | Feedback | Copyright © 2008 Farlex, Inc.
All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Terms of Use.