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Approve vs Accept - What's the difference?

approve | accept |

In transitive terms the difference between approve and accept

is that approve is to make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically while accept is to receive officially.

In intransitive terms the difference between approve and accept

is that approve is to consider or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance while accept is to receive something willingly.

As an adjective accept is

accepted.

approve

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) . Compare prove, approbate.

Verb

(approv)
  • To sanction officially; to ratify; to confirm.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-08-10, volume=408, issue=8848, magazine=(The Economist)
    • , title= Can China clean up fast enough? , passage=It has jailed environmental activists and is planning to limit the power of judicial oversight by handing a state-approved body a monopoly over bringing environmental lawsuits.}}
  • To regard as good; to commend; to be pleased with; to think well of.
  • To make proof of; to demonstrate; to prove or show practically.
  • * (Ralph Waldo Emerson),
    • Opportunities to approve worth.
  • * (Thomas Babington Macaulay),
    • He had approved himself a great warrior.
  • * (George Gordon Byron),
    • 'T is an old lesson; Time approves it true.
  • * (Francis Parkman),
    • His accountapproves him a man of thought.
  • To consider or show to be worthy of approbation or acceptance.
  • * (Henry Rogers),
    • The first care and concern must be to approve himself to God.
  • * (Thomas Babington Macaulay),
    • They had not approved of the deposition of James.
  • * (William Black),
    • They approved of the political institutions.
    Note: This word, when it signifies to be pleased with, to think favorably (of''), is often followed by ''of .
    Derived terms
    () * approval * approvable * I approve this message * approvably * approbation

    Etymology 2

    (etyl) aprouer; . Compare with improve.

    Verb

    (approv)
  • (English Law) 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.

    • References

    *

    accept

    English

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To receive, especially with a consent, with favour, or with approval.
  • * (rfdate)
    • She accepted of a treat.
  • * (rfdate), Psalms 20:3
    • The Lord accept thy burnt sacrifice.
  • To admit to a place or a group.
    • The Boy Scouts were going to accept him as a member.
  • To regard as proper, usual, true, or to believe in.
    • I accept the fact that Christ lived.
  • To receive as adequate or satisfactory.
  • To receive or admit to; to agree to; to assent to; to submit to.
    • I accept your proposal, amendment, or excuse.
  • To endure patiently.
    • I accept my punishment.
  • (transitive, legal, business) To agree to pay.
  • To receive officially
    • to accept the report of a committee
  • To receive something willingly.
    • I accept .

    Synonyms

    * receive * take * withtake * admit

    Antonyms

    * reject * decline

    Derived terms

    * accepted * acceptedly * accepter * acceptive * accept a bill * accept person * accept service

    Related terms

    * acceptability * acceptable * acceptableness * acceptably * acceptance * acceptancy * acceptant * acceptation * acceptilation * acception * acceptor

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) Accepted.
  • * 1599 , (William Shakespeare), , V-ii
    • Pass our accept and peremptory answer.
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