ACCEPT - to take something that someone offers you, or to agree to do something that someone asks you to: Rick accepted her offer of coffee. He accepted the invitation to stay with us. ACCEPT- to decide that there is nothing you can do to change a difficult and unpleasant situation or fact and continue with your normal life: He's not going to change, and you just have to accept it. APPROVE - to officially accept a plan, proposal etc: The conference approved a proposal for a referendum. APPROVE - to think that someone or something is good, right, or suitable: Catherine's parents now approve of her marriage. I don't approve of cosmetic surgery. Approval means you allow things to happen, acceptance means you are OK with things that already happened.