authoritative B2 Topic:People & Society 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... definitivereliable 2 adj · showing confidence and the... commandingmasterful 3 adj · officially approved or... authorizedofficial Word family Forms authoritatively Derived forms authoritativelyauthoritativenessinauthoritativenonauthoritativeunauthoritative Common collocations authoritative manner Adjective + noun Etymology AI details From authorit(y) + -ative. Topics People & Society External links Cambridge Dictionary Wiktionary Google Images # 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 - People & Society markdown