How to pronounce approve
Say it like uh-PROOV. Approve has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PROOV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce approve. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- PROOV
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Approve pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- PROOVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
American vs British pronunciation of approve
American and British speakers say approve in essentially the same way: /əˈpruv/ in the US and /əˈpruːv/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-PROOV.
What does approve mean?
- give sanction to“I approve of his educational policies”
- judge to be right or commendable; think well of
Where does approve come from?
From Middle English aproven, appreoven, appreven, apreven, borrowed from Old French aprover, approver, approuvir, appreuver (“to approve”), from Latin approbō, from ad + probō (“to esteem as good, approve, prove”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with approve
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of approve.
Questions about saying approve
How do you pronounce approve?
Say uh-PROOV. The American pronunciation is /əˈpruv/. In British English it is /əˈpruːv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in approve?
Approve has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (PROOV). Broken into parts: uh · PROOV.
Do Americans and Brits say approve the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈpruv/ and the British form is /əˈpruːv/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.