authoritative

American  

[uh-thawr-i-tey-tiv, uh-thor-] / əˈθɔr ɪˌteɪ tɪv, əˈθɒr- /

adjective

1. having due authority; having the sanction or weight of authority.

   an authoritative opinion.

   Synonyms:

   official

2. substantiated or supported by documentary evidence and accepted by most authorities in a field.

   an authoritative edition of Shakespeare; an authoritative treatment of a subject.

3. having an air of authority; accustomed to exercising authority; positive; peremptory; dictatorial.

   said with an authoritative air.

   Synonyms:

   authoritarian, dogmatic

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authoritative British  

/ ɔːˈθɒrɪtətɪv /

adjective

1. recognized or accepted as being true or reliable

   an authoritative article on drugs

2. exercising or asserting authority; commanding

   an authoritative manner

3. possessing or supported by authority; official

   an authoritative communiqué

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Other Word Forms

• authoritatively adverb
• authoritativeness noun
• nonauthoritative adjective
• nonauthoritatively adverb
• nonauthoritativeness noun
• unauthoritative adjective
• unauthoritatively adverb
• unauthoritativeness noun

Etymology

Origin of authoritative

First recorded in 1595–1605; authorit(y) + -ative

Related Words

• accurate
• authentic
• definitive
• dependable
• factual
• reliable
• scholarly
• trustworthy
• truthful