In this dictionary, the label APPROVAL indicates that you use the word or expression to show that you like or admire the person or thing you are talking about. An example of a word with this label is broad-minded.
ap|prove ◆◆◇ /əpruː v/ (approves , approving , approved )
1 VERB If you approve of an action, event, or suggestion, you like it or are pleased about it. □ [V + of ] Not everyone approves of the festival.
2 VERB If you approve of someone or something, you like and admire them. □ [V + of ] You've never approved of Henry, have you?
3 VERB If someone in a position of authority approves a plan or idea, they formally agree to it and say that it can happen. □ [V n] The Russian Parliament has approved a program of radical economic reforms.
4 → see also approved , approving
ap|proved /əpruː vd/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An approved method or course of action is officially accepted as appropriate in a particular situation. □ The approved method of cleaning is industrial sand-blasting.
ap|pro ved schoo l (approved schools ) N‑COUNT In Britain in the past, an approved school was a boarding school where young people could be sent to stay if they had been found guilty of a crime.
ap|prov|ing /əpruː v I ŋ/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] An approving reaction or remark shows support for something, or satisfaction with it. □ His mother leaned forward and gave him an approving look.
approx. Approx. is a written abbreviation for approximately . □ Group Size: Approx. 12 to 16.
ap|proxi|mate (approximates , approximating , approximated ) The adjective is pronounced /əprɒ ks I mət/. The verb is pronounced /əprɒ ks I me I t/. 1 ADJ An approximate number, time, or position is close to the correct number, time, or position, but is not exact. □ The approximate cost varies from around £150 to £250. □ The times are approximate only. ● ap|proxi|mate|ly ADV □ Approximately $150 million is to be spent on improvements.
2 ADJ An idea or description that is approximate is not intended to be precise or accurate, but to give some indication of what something is like. □ They did not have even an approximate idea what the Germans really wanted.
3 VERB If something approximates to something else, it is similar to it but is not exactly the same. □ [V + to ] Something approximating to a fair outcome will be ensured. □ [V n] By about 6 weeks of age, most babies begin to show something approximating a day/night sleeping pattern.
ap|proxi|ma|tion /əprɒ ks I me I ʃ ə n/ (approximations )
1 N‑COUNT An approximation is a fact, object, or description which is similar to something else, but which is not exactly the same. □ [+ of ] That is a fair approximation of the way in which the next boss is being chosen. [Also + to ]
2 N‑COUNT An approximation is a number, calculation, or position that is close to a correct number, time, or position, but is not exact. □ Clearly that's an approximation, but my guess is there'll be a reasonable balance.
appt Appt is a written abbreviation for appointment .
Apr. Apr. is a written abbreviation for April .
apres-ski /æ pre I skiː/ also après-ski N‑UNCOUNT [oft N n] Apres-ski is evening entertainment and social activities in places where people go skiing.
apri|cot /e I pr I kɒt/ (apricots )
1 N‑VAR An apricot is a small, soft, round fruit with yellowish-orange flesh and a stone inside. □ …12 oz apricots, halved and stoned. □ …apricot tart.
2 COLOUR Apricot is used to describe things that are yellowish-orange in colour. □ The bridesmaids wore apricot and white organza.
April /e I pr I l/ (Aprils ) N‑VAR April is the fourth month of the year in the Western calendar. □ The changes will be introduced in April. □ They were married on 7 April 1927 at Paddington Register Office. □ He announced that he will retire next April.
A pril Foo l (April Fools ) N‑COUNT An April Fool is a trick that is played on April Fool's Day.
A pril Foo l's Day N‑UNCOUNT April Fool's Day is the 1st of April, the day on which people traditionally play tricks on each other.
a prio|ri /e I pra I ɔː ra I / ADJ [usu ADJ n] An a priori argument, reason, or probability is based on an assumed principle or fact, rather than on actual observed facts. ● ADV [oft ADV after v] A priori is also an adverb. □ One assumes, a priori, that a parent would be better at dealing with problems.
apron /e I prən/ (aprons ) N‑COUNT An apron is a piece of clothing that you put on over the front of your normal clothes and tie round your waist, especially when you are cooking, in order to prevent your clothes from getting dirty.
ap|ro|pos /æ prəpoʊ /
1 PREP Something which is apropos , or apropos of, a subject or event, is connected with it or relevant to it. [FORMAL ] □ All my suggestions apropos the script were accepted.
2 PREP Apropos or apropos of is used to introduce something that you are going to say which is related to the subject you have just been talking about. [FORMAL ] □ Apropos Dudley Moore living in California he said, 'He loves the space, Californians have a lot of space.'
apt /æ pt/
1 ADJ An apt remark, description, or choice is especially suitable. □ The words of this report are as apt today as in 1929. □ …an apt description of the situation. ● apt|ly ADV □ …the beach in the aptly named town of Oceanside.