Quick answer: Approve means to officially sanction something or think positively of it, often from a position of authority. Agree means to share the same opinion as someone or reach a mutual understanding. Approve often implies hierarchy; agree implies equality. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘approve’.
Understanding Approve
Approve has two distinct uses. The first is to officially authorise or sanction something — in this use it is transitive: the board approved the budget; the manager approved the leave request. The second is to think positively of something or someone — in this use it is intransitive and followed by of: I approve of your decision; her parents don’t approve of his lifestyle. Both uses carry a sense of evaluation from someone who has the standing or authority to judge. The noun form is approval. In professional and formal contexts, approve is the word you need when a decision must be sanctioned by someone higher up before it can proceed. The opposite is disapprove.
The committee approved the new safety regulations.
Her manager approved her holiday request.
I don’t approve of the way that was handled.
The drug was approved for use by the medical authority.
Understanding Agree
Agree means to have the same opinion as someone, to accept a proposal, or to reach a shared understanding. It does not imply authority — two equals can agree. The preposition that follows agree changes its meaning: agree with means to share an opinion (I agree with you); agree on means to reach a consensus about a specific thing (we agreed on the terms); agree to means to consent to a plan or request (she agreed to help). You can also agree with a statement or idea without any person being mentioned. The noun form is agreement. Unlike approve, agree does not carry a sense of evaluating from above.
I agree with everything you said in the meeting.
They agreed on a price after long negotiations.
She agreed to take on the extra responsibility.
The two sides finally agreed to the terms of the contract.
Key Differences at a Glance
| Use case | Approve | Agree |
|---|---|---|
| Official authorisation | ✓ Primary use | Not used this way |
| Shared opinion between equals | Not typical | ✓ Natural |
| Positive evaluation | ✓ (approve of) | Possible (agree that) |
| Prepositions used | of (opinion); transitive (authorise) | with / on / to |
| Noun form | approval | agreement |
Common Mistakes
✗ The board agreed the new policy. (transitive use is unusual in standard British English)
✓ The board approved the new policy.
✗ I approve your decision. (when expressing opinion)
✓ I approve of your decision.
✗ We agreed about the price. (non-standard)
✓ We agreed on the price.
Practice: Which Is Correct?
Four questions — choose the best word.
1. “The finance director ___ the revised budget.”
2. “I completely ___ with your analysis of the problem.”
3. “She doesn’t ___ of the way her son spends his time.”
4. “Both parties ___ on a settlement after weeks of talks.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between approve and agree?
Approve means to officially sanction something or think positively of it, often from a position of authority. Agree means to share the same opinion or reach a mutual understanding.
Can approve and agree be used interchangeably?
Not usually. Approve implies authority or positive assessment. Agree implies mutual consent between parties at the same level. They overlap only when someone in authority concurs with a proposal.
What preposition follows approve?
Approve is often used with “of”: “I approve of your decision.” When meaning to officially authorise, it is transitive: “The board approved the budget.”
What preposition follows agree?
Agree is followed by different prepositions: “agree with” (share an opinion), “agree on” (reach consensus), “agree to” (consent to a plan or request).
Can you approve of a person?
Yes. “Her parents approve of her choice” means they think positively of it. “Agree of” is not used; instead: “Her parents agree with her choice.”
What is the noun form of approve?
The noun form is approval: “The plan received approval from management.” The noun form of agree is agreement: “We reached an agreement on the terms.”
Is “I agree” more casual than “I approve”?
Yes. “I agree” is neutral and everyday. “I approve” sounds more formal and implies a positive evaluation or sanction, often from a superior.
Can agree be used for contracts or plans?
Yes. “We agreed on a new contract” means both parties reached a mutual understanding. This differs slightly from “approved”, which implies one party in authority gives formal consent.
What does “agree to disagree” mean?
“Agree to disagree” means two parties accept that they hold different opinions and will not try to convince each other. It is a diplomatic way to end a disagreement.
What is the opposite of approve?
The opposite of approve is disapprove: “She disapproves of his lifestyle.” The opposite of agree is disagree: “I disagree with your assessment.”