Approve vs. Accept — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 15, 2024
Approve generally means to officially agree with or endorse something, while accept involves consenting to receive or acknowledging something as adequate.
Difference Between Approve and Accept
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Key Differences
Approve is used when someone officially agrees to or validates the quality, standard, or functionality of something, which often involves a formal decision-making process. Whereas, accept refers to the act of receiving something willingly or agreeing to a particular situation or set of conditions without necessarily approving of it.
Approve often implies a sense of satisfaction or positive judgment regarding the quality or suitability of something, suggesting an endorsement. On the other hand, accept can imply mere tolerance or resignation, not necessarily accompanied by a positive judgment.
Approve usually involves an authority or person in power who sanctions or gives consent to policies, plans, or ideas after evaluating them. Accept, however, can be used more broadly and involves less formal agreement, simply indicating the act of taking something that is offered or not resisting it.
Approve can also include the context of expressing favorable opinion or liking towards something, such as in social or informal settings. Whereas accept is more about agreeing to a fact, condition, or principle, sometimes reluctantly.
Approve has a connotation of being thorough and often requires deliberation and consideration before making a decision. Accept, in contrast, might not require much deliberation and can be more of an immediate or passive response to a situation or information.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To officially agree to or endorse
To consent to receive or deem adequate
Connotation
Positive judgment and endorsement
Agreement, sometimes without enthusiasm
Usage in authority
Often requires authority or expertise
Less about authority, more about personal choice
Formality
Generally more formal and deliberate
Can be formal or informal, often less deliberate
Emotional Implication
Often implies satisfaction or approval
May imply resignation or tolerance
Compare with Definitions
Approve
To ratify or endorse.
The president approved the legislative act.
Accept
To endure without protest.
She accepted her punishment quietly.
Approve
To regard favorably.
I approve of your decision.
Accept
To agree to undertake.
He accepted the challenge.
Approve
To confirm or sanction formally.
The board approved the new policy.
Accept
To answer affirmatively.
He accepted the invitation immediately.
Approve
To validate or authenticate.
The committee approved the final draft of the report.
Accept
To receive willingly.
She accepted the gift graciously.
Approve
To consider right or good.
Do you approve this color for the room?
Accept
To regard as proper, normal, or inevitable.
You must accept certain realities.
Approve
To consent to officially or formally; confirm or sanction
The Senate approved the treaty.
Accept
To answer affirmatively
Accept an invitation.
Approve
To consider right or good
"He came to ask me ... whether I approved his choice altogether" (Jane Austen).
Accept
To agree to take (a duty or responsibility).
Approve
(Obsolete)To prove or attest.
Accept
To receive (something offered), especially with gladness or approval
Accepted a glass of water.
Accepted their contract.
Approve
To show, feel, or express approval
We didn't approve of the decision.
Accept
To admit to a group, organization, or place
Accepted me as a new member of the club.
Approve
(transitive) To officially sanction; to ratify; to confirm; to set as satisfactory.
Although we may disagree with it, we must nevertheless approve the sentence handed down by the court-martial.
Accept
To regard as proper, usual, or right
Such customs are widely accepted.
Approve
(transitive) To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of.
We approve the measure of the administration, for it is an excellent decision.
Accept
To regard as true; believe in
Scientists have accepted the new theory.
Approve
To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically.
Accept
To understand as having a specific meaning.
Approve
To consider worthy (to); to be pleased (with); to accept.
Her mother never approves of any of her boyfriends. She thinks nobody is good enough for her little girl.
Accept
To endure resignedly or patiently
Accept one's fate.
Approve
To show to be worthy; to demonstrate the merits of.
Accept
To be able to hold (something applied or inserted)
This wood will not accept oil paints.
Approve
To make profit of; to convert to one's own profit — said especially of waste or common land appropriated by the lord of the manor.
Accept
To receive officially
Accept the committee's report.
Approve
To show to be real or true; to prove.
Wouldst thou approve thy constancy? ApproveFirst thy obedience.
Accept
To consent to pay, as by a signed agreement.
Approve
To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically.
Opportunities to approve . . . worth.
He had approved himself a great warrior.
'T is an old lesson; Time approves it true.
His account . . . approves him a man of thought.
Accept
To take payment in the form of
A store that does not accept checks.
Approve
To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; as, to approve the decision of a court-martial.
Accept
(Medicine) To receive (a transplanted organ or tissue) without immunological rejection.
Approve
To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of; as, we approve the measured of the administration.
Accept
To receive something, especially with favor. Often used with of.
Approve
To make or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance.
The first care and concern must be to approve himself to God.
They had not approved of the deposition of James.
They approved of the political institutions.
Accept
(transitive) To receive, especially with a consent, with favour, or with approval.
Approve
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.
Accept
(transitive) To admit to a place or a group.
The Boy Scouts were going to accept him as a member.
Approve
Give sanction to;
I approve of his educational policies
Accept
(transitive) To regard as proper, usual, true, or to believe in.
I accept the notion that Christ lived.
Approve
Judge to be right or commendable; think well of
Accept
(transitive) To receive as adequate or satisfactory.
Accept
(transitive) To receive or admit to; to agree to; to assent to; to submit to.
I accept your proposal, amendment, or excuse.
Accept
(transitive) To endure patiently.
I accept my punishment.
Accept
(transitive) To acknowledge patiently without opposition or resistance.
We need to accept the fact that restaurants are closed due to COVID-19 and that no amount of wishing or screaming will make them reopen any sooner.
Accept
To agree to pay.
Accept
(transitive) To receive officially.
To accept the report of a committee
Accept
(intransitive) To receive something willingly.
Accept
(obsolete) Accepted.
Accept
To receive with a consenting mind (something offered); as, to accept a gift; - often followed by of.
If you accept them, then their worth is great.
To accept of ransom for my son.
She accepted of a treat.
Accept
To receive with favor; to approve.
The Lord accept thy burnt sacrifice.
Peradventure he will accept of me.
Accept
To receive or admit and agree to; to assent to; as, I accept your proposal, amendment, or excuse.
Accept
To take by the mind; to understand; as, How are these words to be accepted?
Accept
To receive as obligatory and promise to pay; as, to accept a bill of exchange.
Accept
In a deliberate body, to receive in acquittance of a duty imposed; as, to accept the report of a committee. [This makes it the property of the body, and the question is then on its adoption.]
Accept
Accepted.
Accept
Consider or hold as true;
I cannot accept the dogma of this church
Accept an argument
Accept
Receive willingly something given or offered;
The only girl who would have him was the miller's daughter
I won't have this dog in my house!
Please accept my present
Accept
Give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to;
I cannot accept your invitation
I go for this resolution
Accept
React favorably to; consider right and proper;
People did not accept atonal music at that time
We accept the idea of universal health care
Accept
Admit into a group or community;
Accept students for graduate study
We'll have to vote on whether or not to admit a new member
Accept
Take on as one's own the expenses or debts of another person;
I'll accept the charges
She agreed to bear the responsibility
Accept
Tolerate or accommodate oneself to;
I shall have to accept these unpleasant working conditions
I swallowed the insult
She has learned to live with her husband's little idiosyncracies
Accept
Be designed to hold or take;
This surface will not take the dye
Accept
Of a deliberative body: receive (a report) officially, as from a committee
Accept
Make use of or accept for some purpose;
Take a risk
Take an opportunity
Common Curiosities
How does emotional implication differ between approving and accepting?
Approving usually carries a positive emotional implication, suggesting satisfaction, while accepting can often be more neutral or even reluctant.
Is approval always necessary in formal settings?
In many formal settings, approval from a person in authority or a governing body is necessary before certain actions can be undertaken.
What does it mean to approve something?
Approving something means giving one's formal consent or agreement, often after careful consideration.
What does it mean to accept something?
Accepting something means agreeing to receive or regard it as adequate, often with less scrutiny than approval requires.
Can accept be used when one is not happy about the outcome?
Yes, one can accept an outcome without being happy about it, often implying resignation or tolerance.
Is approval required in legal contexts?
Yes, in legal contexts, approval is often required from relevant authorities to validate agreements or actions.
How does someone show they accept something?
Acceptance can be shown by verbally agreeing, nodding, or through other forms of non-verbal communication indicating agreement.
What is the difference between approve and endorse?
To approve is to give formal consent, while to endorse is to support or recommend publicly, which can be considered a form of approval.
What role does personal opinion play in acceptance?
Personal opinion can greatly influence whether someone accepts something, often based on personal values or circumstances.
Can someone accept something without approving it?
Yes, it is possible to accept something without approving it, such as accepting a situation out of necessity but not necessarily agreeing with it.
Can approval be implicit or must it always be explicit?
Approval can sometimes be implicit, particularly in informal settings, but it is often explicit, especially in formal or official contexts.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
