approval

approval — noun

1. an official decision by a person or body in authority that lets a plan, request,

1.名詞B2
釋義

an official decision by a person or body in authority that lets a plan, request, or document go ahead.

例句

The new bridge design needs approval from the city council before construction starts.

approval from + authority

Tomás is still waiting for his boss's approval to hire two more designers.

approval to + infinitive

同義詞
  • authorization

    more formal; emphasises the legal right to act

  • consent

    stresses agreement of a person involved, often medical or legal

  • permission

    broader and more everyday; includes informal contexts

反義詞
  • rejection

    the formal refusal of a plan or request

  • veto

    an official act of blocking a decision

文法句型

approval for + noun

approval to + infinitive

用法筆記

Subject of the approval is usually an institution, official, or person with authority. Distinguish from sense 2 (a personal feeling that someone or something is good) — sense 1 is a formal decision, often documented.

常見錯誤

❌I gave my friend approval to borrow my car.
✅I gave my friend permission to borrow my car.
💡for casual personal contexts, use 'permission'; 'approval' carries an official tone.
❌The committee approval the new rule.
✅The committee approved the new rule.' / 'The committee gave approval for the new rule.
💡'approval' is a noun; the verb is 'approve'.

2. a personal feeling that you like or admire someone or something, often shown by

2.名詞B2
釋義

a personal feeling that you like or admire someone or something, often shown by smiling, nodding, or speaking warmly.

例句

Grandma nodded with quiet approval as Diego cleared the dinner plates.

with approval — physical signal of liking

The painting won wide approval among the visitors at the small gallery.

win approval among + group

同義詞
  • admiration

    stronger; suggests deep respect, not just liking

  • endorsement

    more public and verbal; often by a known figure

  • praise

    active spoken expression rather than a quiet feeling

反義詞
  • disapproval

    the feeling that someone or something is wrong or bad

  • criticism

    spoken or written judgement of faults

文法句型

approval of + noun

with approval

用法筆記

Often shown through facial expression, tone, or short comments rather than formal statements. Distinguish from sense 1 — sense 2 is emotional and personal; no authority is needed.

常見錯誤

❌She looked her mother with approval.
✅She looked at her mother with approval.
💡'with approval' typically follows verbs like look, nod, smile, watch.
❌The crowd showed their approvals.
✅The crowd showed their approval.
💡uncountable in this sense; no plural.

3. the act of agreeing that an idea, plan, or choice is acceptable and worth going

3.名詞B2
釋義

the act of agreeing that an idea, plan, or choice is acceptable and worth going ahead with.

例句

The new holiday schedule met with approval from almost every team in the office.

meet with approval from + group

Xander gave his approval to the menu after tasting each dish in the kitchen.

give approval to + noun

同義詞
  • agreement

    more general; covers any matching opinion

  • support

    stresses active backing rather than passive acceptance

  • blessing

    informal; suggests warm, friendly approval

反義詞

文法句型

meet with approval

give one's approval to + noun

用法筆記

Differs from sense 1: this is informal agreement that an idea is fine, not an authority's official decision. Differs from sense 2: focuses on a plan or choice rather than a person or quality.

常見錯誤

❌The idea met approval from the staff.
✅The idea met with approval from the staff.
💡'meet with approval' is the fixed phrase.
❌He gave his approval for the menu.
✅He gave his approval to the menu.
💡use 'to', not 'for', after 'give one's approval'.