authoritative

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authoritative

/ɔːˈθɒɹɪtətɪv/ UK
/ɔːˈθɒɹɪtɪv/ proscribed
/əˈθɔɹɪˌteɪtɪv/ US
/əˈθɑɹɪˌteɪtɪv/ US
/ɔ-/ US
/əˈθɔɹɪtɪv/ proscribed
/əˈθɑɹɪtɪv/ proscribed
/ɔ-/ proscribed

adjective more authoritative · most authoritative

Arising or originating from a figure of authority. The authoritative rules in this school come not from the headmaster but from the aged matron.
Similar: formal, proper, ex cathedra
Highly accurate or definitive; treated or worthy of treatment as a scholarly authority. This book is the world's most authoritative guide to insect breeding habits.
Similar: definitive, of record, precise
Having a commanding style. He instructed us in that booming, authoritative voice of his.
Similar: grave, magisterial, masterful, oracular, sterling

Thesaurus

Closest in meaning: official, authorized, standard, influential, important, definitive, classical, authority, formal, authorised, competent, expert, approved, reputable, prestige, valid

Translations

Every language

adj originating from a figure of authority

Español	autoritativo, oficial
中文	正式的 zhèngshì de, 官方的 guānfāng de, 權威的 /权威的 quánwēi de, 當局的 /当局的 dāngjú de
Português	oficial, legal
Français	officiel, autoritaire, autorisé
Deutsch	autoritativ, offiziell
Italiano	autorevole
Русский	официа́льный oficiálʹnyj

adj accurate or definitive

Español	fidedigno, autorizado
中文	權威的 /权威的 quánwēi de, 有權威的 /有权威的 yǒu quánwēi de, 可信的 kěxìn de
Português	definitivo, respeitado, completo, autoritativo
Français	majeur, autoritaire, autorisé
Deutsch	vorherrschend, maßgebend, maßgeblich, führend, tonangebend
Italiano	autoritario
Ελληνικά	αυθεντικός afthentikós
Русский	авторите́тный avtoritétnyj, достове́рный dostovérnyj

adj having a commanding style

Español	autoritario
中文	命令式的 mìnglìng shì de
Português	autoritário
Français	magistériel
Deutsch	gebieterisch
Italiano	autoritario
Русский	вла́стный vlástnyj, повели́тельный povelítelʹnyj

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MLA

"authoritative." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/authoritative. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

authoritative. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/authoritative

Chicago

"authoritative." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/authoritative.

BibTeX

@misc{authoritative_2026,
  title = {authoritative},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/authoritative},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}