approval

[ uh-proo-vuh l ]
/ əˈpru vəl /

noun

the act of approving; approbation.
formal permission or sanction.
Philately. one of a group of selected stamps sent by a dealer to a prospective customer for examination and either purchase or return.

Idioms for approval

    on approval, without obligation to buy unless satisfactory to the customer upon trial or examination and, otherwise, returnable: We ship merchandise on approval.

Origin of approval

First recorded in 1680–90; approve + -al2

OTHER WORDS FROM approval

British Dictionary definitions for on approval

approval
/ (əˈpruːvəl) /

noun

the act of approving
formal agreement; sanction
a favourable opinion; commendation
on approval (of articles for sale) for examination with an option to buy or return

Idioms and Phrases with on approval (1 of 2)

on approval

To be returned if not satisfactory, as in They're offering custom-made shoes, manufactured from a computer design, on approval. This expression, applied nearly always to the purchase of goods, was first recorded in 1870.

Idioms and Phrases with on approval (2 of 2)

approval

see on approval; seal of approval.