Review vs. Approval — What's the Difference?

An evaluation or assessment.

Formal acceptance of something.

A critical appraisal of a performance or product.

Agreement that something meets standards.

A systematic inspection or analysis.

Authorization based on compliance.

An article discussing a book, film, or similar.

Official consent allowing an action to proceed.

Re-examination of a process, often for quality control.

Positive acknowledgment or endorsement.

A review is an evaluation of a publication, service, or company such as a movie (a movie review), video game (video game review), musical composition (music review of a composition or recording), book (book review); a piece of hardware like a car, home appliance, or computer; or softwares such as business software, sales softwares; or an event or performance, such as a live music concert, play, musical theater show, dance show or art exhibition. In addition to a critical evaluation, the review's author may assign the work a rating to indicate its relative merit.

The act or an instance of approving.

To look over, study, or examine again

An official approbation; a sanction.

To consider retrospectively; look back on

Favorable regard; commendation.

To examine with an eye to criticism or correction

An expression granting permission; an indication of agreement with a proposal; an acknowledgement that a person, thing, or event meets requirements.

To write or give a critical report on (a new work or performance, for example).

An expression of favorable acceptance and encouragement; a compliment that also condones.

(Law) To evaluate (a decision made by or action taken by a lower court) to determine whether any error was made.

Something mailed by a seller to a collector to match their stated interests; the collector can approve of or return the item.

To subject to a formal inspection, especially a military inspection.

Approbation; sanction.

To go over or restudy material

The formal act of giving approval;

To write critical reviews, especially for a newspaper or magazine.

A feeling of liking something or someone good;

A reexamination or reconsideration.

Acceptance as satisfactory;

A retrospective view or survey.

A message expressing a favorable opinion;

A restudying of subject matter.

An exercise for use in restudying material.

A report or essay giving a critical estimate of a work or performance.

A periodical devoted to articles and essays on current affairs, literature, or art.

An inspection or examination for the purpose of evaluation.

A formal military inspection.

A formal military ceremony held in honor of a person or occasion.

(Law) An evaluation conducted by a higher court of a decision made or action taken by a lower court to determine whether any error was made.

A musical show consisting of often satirical skits, songs, and dances; a revue.

A second or subsequent reading of a text or artifact in an attempt to gain new insights.

An account intended as a critical evaluation of a text or a piece of work.

(legal) A judicial reassessment of a case or an event.

A stage show made up of topical sketches etc.

A survey of the available items or material.

A periodical which makes a survey of the arts or some other field.

A military inspection or display for the benefit of superiors or VIPs.

A forensic inspection to assess compliance with regulations or some code.

To survey; to look broadly over.

To write a critical evaluation of a new art work etc.; to write a review.

To look back over in order to correct or edit; to revise.

To look over again (something previously written or learned), especially in preparation for an examination.

(obsolete) To view or see again; to look back on.

(obsolete) To retrace; to go over again.

To view or see again; to look back on.

To go over and examine critically or deliberately.

To retrace; to go over again.

To look back; to make a review.

A second or repeated view; a reëxamination; a retrospective survey; a looking over again; as, a review of one's studies; a review of life.

An examination with a view to amendment or improvement; revision; as, an author's review of his works.

A critical examination of a publication, with remarks; a criticism; a critique.

A periodical containing critical essays upon matters of interest, as new productions in literature, art, etc.

An inspection, as of troops under arms or of a naval force, by a high officer, for the purpose of ascertaining the state of discipline, equipments, etc.

The judicial examination of the proceedings of a lower court by a higher.

A lesson studied or recited for a second time.

A new appraisal or evaluation

An essay or article that gives a critical evaluation (as of a book or play)

A subsequent examination of a patient for the purpose of monitoring earlier treatment

(accounting) a service (less exhaustive than an audit) that provides some assurance to interested parties as to the reliability of financial data

A variety show with topical sketches and songs and dancing and comedians

A periodical that publishes critical essays on current affairs or literature or art

A summary at the end that repeats the substance of a longer discussion

(law) a judicial reexamination of the proceedings of a court (especially by an appellate court)

Practice intended to polish performance or refresh the memory

A formal or official examination;

Look at again; examine again;

Appraise critically;

Hold a review (of troops)

Refresh one's memory;

Look back upon (a period of time, sequence of events, etc.); remember;

Yes, a positive review often leads to approval by demonstrating quality or compliance.

Sometimes, like when a trusted entity is involved, but generally, reviews precede approval.

They can overlap, but usually, reviewers assess while approvers authorize decisions.

Usually, reviews provide constructive criticism to refine work.

Not always, but regulated industries often require it for compliance.

No, approval often indicates a satisfactory state, allowing for further improvement.

In some cases, like legal compliance, approvals can be rescinded if conditions change.

Typically, yes, especially in formal processes where approval depends on review findings.

While technically possible, it's often unwise, as reviewers provide valuable insights.

Yes, thorough reviews may extend timelines to ensure quality.

Revisions are often suggested, allowing for a resubmission for further review and approval.

They can, as thorough reviews require time, but they also streamline approvals by identifying issues early.

Reviews focus on criteria relevant to their context, like quality, safety, or accuracy.

Higher management, regulatory bodies, or other authorized personnel usually handle approvals.

Generally, reviews are less formal, but they can also involve structured guidelines.