Langimage
English

disapproves

|dis-ap-prove|

B2

/ˌdɪsəˈpruːv/

(disapprove)

negative judgment

Base FormPluralPresent3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent ParticipleNounAdjectiveAdjectiveAdverb
disapprovedisapproversdisapprovesdisapprovesdisapproveddisapproveddisapprovingdisapprovaldisapprovingdisapproveddisapprovingly
Etymology
Etymology Information

'disapprove' is formed from the prefix 'dis-' (Latin) meaning 'not' + 'approve' from Latin 'approbare', where 'ad-' meant 'to/toward' and 'probare' meant 'to test, to prove'.

Historical Evolution

'approve' comes from Latin 'approbare' → Old French 'aprover'/'aprouver' → Middle English 'aprouven' leading to modern English 'approve'; the negative form 'disapprove' arose by adding the Latin-derived prefix 'dis-' in Early Modern English.

Meaning Changes

Initially the elements meant 'not' + 'to prove/approve'; over time it came to mean 'to judge negatively or withhold approval' in general usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Verb 1

third person singular present form of 'disapprove': to show or express an unfavorable opinion of someone or something; to frown on or object to.

She disapproves of his late-night work habits and often criticizes him for staying up so late.

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Verb 2

third person singular present form of 'disapprove': to refuse to give official or formal approval to something (e.g., a plan, request, or document).

The committee disapproves the proposed budget and has asked for a revised plan.

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Last updated: 2025/12/27 03:47