judge to be right or commendable; think well of
"The committee approved the new policy after carefully reviewing its potential benefits."
To officially sanction; to ratify; to confirm; to set as satisfactory.
"The lord approved the wasteland, fencing it off and claiming its timber as his private property."
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.
In plain English: To approve means to officially agree that something is good enough and should be allowed to happen.
"The manager approved my request for time off next week."
Usage: Use "approve" when you mean to officially sanction, ratify, or declare something satisfactory after reviewing it. Do not confuse this with synonyms like "permit," which implies giving permission rather than formal endorsement.
The word "approve" entered English via Middle French and Old French before reaching its current form in the 14th century. It originally came from Latin roots meaning to esteem as good or proven true.