Approve vs. Approval — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 27, 2024
Approve entails the action of expressing a favorable opinion or sanctioning, whereas approval is the state or outcome of being approved.
Difference Between Approve and Approval
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Approve involves the act of evaluating and subsequently expressing a positive judgment or consent, indicating a process or action. On the other hand, approval signifies the acknowledgment or acceptance received from the act of approving, embodying a condition or state.
Approve is generally used in contexts where an individual or body exercises judgment to sanction or endorse. Whereas, approval is often the result or confirmation of this sanction or endorsement, representing an acceptance.
The verb "approve" suggests an ongoing or active decision-making process, emphasizing the action taken by a person or authority. In contrast, approval is more static, denoting the result or status achieved after the act of approving.
Approve is dynamic, implying participation and engagement in the act of giving consent or affirmative judgment. Meanwhile, approval is passive, highlighting the acceptance or ratification by others, without indicating the active process.
Approve requires an active subject who makes a decision or judgment, showcasing an action oriented towards acceptance. Conversely, approval is the consequence or acknowledgment of the act, focusing on the outcome rather than the process.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Noun
Definition
To express a favorable opinion or sanction
The state or act of accepting or endorsing something
Context of Use
In decision-making processes, indicating action
In situations where acceptance or endorsement is confirmed
Nature
Dynamic, involving action
Static, denoting a condition or state
Example Usage
"The committee will approve the proposal."
"The proposal received unanimous approval from the committee."
Compare with Definitions
Approve
To consent to officially or formally.
The manager needs to approve these expenses before reimbursement.
Approval
Official permission or sanction.
The project cannot commence without the council's approval.
Approve
To sanction or endorse a plan or idea.
The board will likely approve the new policy during the next meeting.
Approval
Ratification or confirmation of an action.
We are awaiting final approval from the headquarters.
Approve
To find something acceptable or satisfactory.
I approve of your decision to further your education.
Approval
Acceptance or endorsement by others.
His performance earned the approval of the audience.
Approve
To express a favorable opinion about something.
Do you approve of the changes made to the document?
Approval
The act of accepting a proposal or plan.
After much debate, the committee gave its approval.
Approve
To agree or give permission through official means.
The government will soon approve the new regulations.
Approval
State of being approved or sanctioned.
The document is now in the approval stage.
Approve
To consent to officially or formally; confirm or sanction
The Senate approved the treaty.
Approval
The act or an instance of approving.
Approve
To consider right or good
"He came to ask me ... whether I approved his choice altogether" (Jane Austen).
Approval
An official approbation; a sanction.
Approve
(Obsolete)To prove or attest.
Approval
Favorable regard; commendation.
Approve
To show, feel, or express approval
We didn't approve of the decision.
Approval
An expression granting permission; an indication of agreement with a proposal; an acknowledgement that a person, thing, or event meets requirements.
I need to get an approval on this purchase order.
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.
Approval
An expression of favorable acceptance and encouragement; a compliment that also condones.
Words of approval never seem to come from him.
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.
Approval
Something mailed by a seller to a collector to match their stated interests; the collector can approve of or return the item.
Approve
To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically.
Approval
Approbation; sanction.
A censor . . . without whose approval n capital sentences are to be executed.
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.
Approval
The formal act of giving approval;
He gave the project his blessing
His decision merited the approval of any sensible person
Approve
To show to be worthy; to demonstrate the merits of.
Approval
A feeling of liking something or someone good;
Although she fussed at them, she secretly viewed all her children with approval
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.
Approval
Acceptance as satisfactory;
He bought it on approval
Approve
To show to be real or true; to prove.
Wouldst thou approve thy constancy? ApproveFirst thy obedience.
Approval
A message expressing a favorable opinion;
Words of approval seldom passed his lips
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.
Approve
To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm; as, to approve the decision of a court-martial.
Approve
To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of; as, we approve the measured of the administration.
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.
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.
Approve
Give sanction to;
I approve of his educational policies
Approve
Judge to be right or commendable; think well of
Common Curiosities
Can approval be given without someone actively approving?
No, approval implies that someone has actively made a decision to approve.
Can approve and approval be used interchangeably?
No, they serve different grammatical functions; "approve" is a verb, while "approval" is a noun.
Is approval always required in decision-making processes?
Yes, in most formal or organizational contexts, approval is required to proceed with decisions or actions.
Is it possible to approve something but not support it fully?
Yes, one might approve something as a formality or obligation without fully supporting or agreeing with it.
Can public opinion affect approval processes?
Yes, public opinion can influence decision-makers and the outcome of approval processes, especially in political or public contexts.
Is approval subjective?
Approval can be subjective as it often depends on the personal or organizational standards and values.
Is approval necessary for personal decisions?
While not always necessary, seeking approval for personal decisions can sometimes provide reassurance or validation.
Are there different levels of approval?
Yes, especially in organizational contexts, where different levels of authority may need to approve different stages of a project.
What does it mean to approve something?
To approve something means to express a favorable opinion about it or to consent to it officially.
Does approval guarantee success?
Not necessarily; approval means that an idea or action has been sanctioned, but success depends on many other factors.
How is approval expressed in organizations?
Approval in organizations is often formalized through documents, signatures, or official meetings.
Can approval be withdrawn?
Yes, approval can be withdrawn if circumstances change or if further evaluation warrants it.
How does one seek approval for an idea or project?
Seeking approval typically involves presenting the idea or project to the relevant authority or body with supporting information and justifications.
How do cultural differences impact approval?
Cultural norms and values can significantly influence what is deemed acceptable or worthy of approval.
Can approval be implicit, or must it be explicitly stated?
Approval can be both implicit, through actions or non-verbal agreement, and explicit, through verbal or written consent.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
