authoritative

B2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ɔːˈθɒɹɪtɪv/ UK /ɔːˈθɒɹɪtətɪv/ See IPA manual

Freq #35457

Meanings

1

adj
Trusted as accurate and reliable because it comes from real knowledge.

This book is the most authoritative guide to British birds.
2

adj
Showing confidence and the ability to be obeyed.

He gave the orders in a calm, authoritative voice.
3

adj
Officially approved or coming from a person in charge.

We are waiting for an authoritative statement from the government.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · trusted as accurate and... definitive reliable

2 adj · showing confidence and the... commanding masterful

3 adj · officially approved or... authorized official

Word family

Forms authoritatively

Derived forms authoritativelyauthoritativenessinauthoritativenonauthoritativeunauthoritative

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

authoritative manner
a confident way of behaving that suggests the right to be obeyed

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From authorit(y) + -ative.

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# authoritative

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** adj
**IPA (US):** /ɔːˈθɒɹɪtɪv/
**IPA (UK):** /ɔːˈθɒɹɪtətɪv/
**Frequency rank:** 35457

## Meanings
1. Trusted as accurate and reliable because it comes from real knowledge.
2. Showing confidence and the ability to be obeyed.
3. Officially approved or coming from a person in charge.

## Examples
- This book is the most authoritative guide to British birds.
- He gave the orders in a calm, authoritative voice.
- We are waiting for an authoritative statement from the government.

## Derived Forms
- authoritatively
- authoritativeness
- inauthoritative
- nonauthoritative
- unauthoritative

## Etymology
From authorit(y) + -ative.

## AI Etymology
Authoritative is from authorit(y) plus -ative. The formation is semantically transparent: the parts remain visible, while the compound or affix fixes the grammatical role and narrows the modern meaning. In use as an adjective, authoritative denotes trusted as accurate and reliable because it comes from real knowledge, showing confidence and the ability to be obeyed, and officially approved or coming from a person in charge. The same word family continues in derived forms such as authoritatively, authoritativeness, inauthoritative, and nonauthoritative.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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