What does approbate mean?
"Approbate" is a formal verb meaning to approve or sanction something officially, particularly in legal settings where an authority certifies a document, plan, or transaction as valid. It derives from the Latin "approbare," the same root that gives us "approval" and "approbation," and it entered English in the early modern period largely through legal channels. The word is rare in casual conversation — most speakers simply say "approve" — but it survives robustly in law, most famously in Scottish jurisprudence through the doctrine of "approbate and reprobate," which holds that one cannot simultaneously accept and reject different parts of the same deed or document. To "approbate" carries connotations of officialdom and finality: when a body approbates something, it lends the matter its formal imprimatur rather than merely expressing a favorable opinion. For readers who enjoy precise, Latinate vocabulary, "approbate" offers a dignified alternative to everyday approval language.
verbTo approve or sanction formally and officially; in law, to certify as valid or acceptable.
- To approve or sanction formally and officially.
- (Law) To certify or accept as valid, especially in probate or conveyancing contexts.
"The committee voted to approbate the revised bylaws at its annual meeting."
"The board met on Friday to approbate the proposed merger."
"Under the doctrine, one may not approbate and reprobate — accepting part of an estate while rejecting the rest."
In Scots law, the phrase "to approbate and reprobate" means you cannot have it both ways — you must accept a deed's valid parts along with its invalid ones.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of approbate
"Approbate" comes from the Latin "approbare," meaning to approve or assent to, formed from "ad-" (toward) plus "probare" (to test or prove), which itself derives from "probus," meaning upright or good. English adopted the word from Latin in the early modern period, primarily through legal usage, alongside its close relatives "approbation" and "approve." Its strongest historical association is with Scots law, where the related idiom "approbate and reprobate" became a recognized principle governing the acceptance of deeds.
Related word forms
How approbate is actually used
Formal and somewhat rare outside legal contexts; in everyday English, "approve" is far more common. The verb is especially associated with Scottish legal usage, where the idiom "approbate and reprobate" is well established.
Easily confused with approbate
"Appropriate" means suitable or fitting (or, as a verb, to take for oneself), while "approbate" means to approve or sanction something formally.
"Appreciate" means to recognize the value of something or be grateful for it, whereas "approbate" means to give official approval.