authority

CEFRB2

/ɔːˈθɒɹəti/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    The power or right to control, decide, or give orders.

  2. 02

    noun

    A person or organization with official power or expert knowledge.

Examples

  • He exerted all his authority to make them accept the plan.

  • Teachers shouldn't fall back on their authority.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • [əˈθɔɹəɾi]
  • /ɒːˈtɒɹɪti/

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A reliable, definitive source of information on a subject.

  2. Persons, regarded collectively, who occupy official positions of power; police or law enforcement.

  3. Power or right to make or enforce rules, give orders, or impose obligation; or a position having such power or right.

More examples

In context

  • The students revolted against authority.

  • I have the authority to penalise the staff in my department, but not the authority to sack them.

  • She lost all respect and authority after turning up drunk at the meeting.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The principal has the blank to expel students who break major rules.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle English auctorite, autorite (“authority, book or quotation that settles an argument”), from Old French auctorité, from Latin stem of auctōritās (“invention, advice, opinion, influence, command”), from auctor (“master, leader, author”). For the presence of the h, compare the etymology of author.