# approval

/əˈpɹuvəɫ/ (US) · /ɐpɹˈuːvəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/approval
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. official permission

noun · CEFR B1

official permission or agreement for something to happen.

For teachers: formal permission or sanction granted by an authority or governing body.

- The city council gave its final approval for the new park project.
- The proposed merger is currently awaiting regulatory approval from the competition commission before the companies can proceed with the integration.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'give', 'get', or 'seek'.

### 2. liking or agreement

noun · CEFR B2

the feeling that you agree with something or think it is good.

For teachers: a favourable opinion or state of mind regarding a person, idea, or action.

- She looked at her father, hoping to see a nod of approval.
- The manager's warm smile signaled her silent approval of the team's innovative approach to the problem.

Usage: Commonly follows the preposition 'of'.

### 3. on trial

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a system where you can look at a product before deciding to buy it.

For teachers: a commercial arrangement where goods are sent to a customer for examination before purchase or return.

- The shop sent the expensive rug to the house on approval.
- The gallery agreed to provide the painting on approval, allowing the collector to see how the piece complemented her existing decor.

Usage: Almost exclusively used in the fixed phrase 'on approval'.

## Examples

- The manager gave her final approval for the new budget.
- The project cannot move forward until we receive written approval from the city planning department.
- While the public expressed widespread approval of the new environmental policy, several industrial lobbyists argued that the regulations would stifle economic growth in the manufacturing sector.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.