嘉许 is a formal, written verb meaning 'to approve highly' or 'to praise warmly and respectfully.' The character 嘉 means 'excellent,' 'auspicious,' or 'praiseworthy,' often carrying connotations of virtue and merit; 许 means 'to permit,' 'to agree to,' or 'to acknowledge.' Together, they form a compound expressing not just approval but an elevated, appreciative acknowledgment—often implying moral or exemplary value. It is commonly used in official commendations, news reports, academic feedback, or formal speeches.

Unlike casual praise words like 表扬 or 夸奖, 嘉许 suggests sincerity, weight, and recognition of genuine excellence or integrity. It typically appears with subjects such as leaders, teachers, institutions, or authoritative figures giving recognition—never in self-reference (you wouldn’t say 'I 嘉许 myself'). It frequently follows passive constructions or appears after the subject performing the approval, and is rarely used in spoken, informal conversation.