APPROVAL

ap·prov·al

: an act or instance of approving : APPROBATION

- on approval : subject to a prospective buyer's acceptance or refusal <stamps sent to

collectors on approval>

Function: verb
Inflected Form(s): ap·proved; ap·prov·ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French aprover, from Latin approbare, from ad-+ probare to prove -- more at PROVE

: to have or express a favorable opinion of < couldn't approve such conduct>
a : to accept as satisfactory <hopes she will approve the date of the meeting>
b : to give formal or official sanction to : RATIFY <Congress approved the proposed budget> intransitive senses : to take a favorable view <doesn't approve of fighting>

- ap·prov·ing·ly /-'prü-vi[ng]-lE/ adverb

synonyms
APPROVE, ENDORSE, SANCTION, ACCREDIT, CERTIFY mean to have or express a favorable opinion of.

APPROVE often implies no more than this but may suggest considerable esteem or admiration <the parents approve of the marriage>.

ENDORSE suggests an explicit statement of support <publicly endorsed her for Senator>.

SANCTION implies both approval and authorization <the President sanctioned covert operations>.

ACCREDIT and CERTIFY usually imply official endorsement attesting to conformity to set standards <the board voted to accredit the college> <must be certified to teach>.