What does "approved" mean?

1. (officially accepted) officially accepted as being good enough or correct. 2. (proven by experience) shown to be true or good through experience over a long time.

How do you use "approved"?

Often used before a noun to describe equipment, methods, or people that meet a standard.

approved

adj.

US //əˈpɹuvd// UK //ɐpɹˈuːvd// ap·proved

1 officially accepted (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

officially accepted as being good enough or correct.

having received official sanction or formal confirmation of adequacy.

Example

You must use an approved helmet when riding a motorcycle in this city.

Example

The project cannot proceed until the committee provides an approved list of vendors who meet the new safety standards.

Usage

Often used before a noun to describe equipment, methods, or people that meet a standard.
- unauthorized
- rejected
2 proven by experience (adj.)
C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

shown to be true or good through experience over a long time.

demonstrated or proven effective through experience or trial.

Example

The old doctor used approved methods that had worked for years.

Example

He was a man of approved valour, having served with distinction in several difficult campaigns.

Teacher's tip

This sense is rare in modern speech; learners will mostly encounter it in 19th-century literature or historical texts.
- proven
- tested