authoritative
aw-THO-rih-tuh-tihv
Authoritative (adj) means Recognised as reliable, accurate, and worth trusting because of its expertise. Example: “This textbook is considered the authoritative guide to the subject.”
adj
1
Recognised as reliable, accurate, and worth trusting because of its expertise.
"This textbook is considered the authoritative guide to the subject."
2
Having a commanding, confident manner that inspires obedience or trust.
"Woke is here to undermine Star Trek and Starfleet, so, in this conflict, Holly Hunter’s character manifests feminine traits instead of authoritative ones: she’s emotional, uncertain and vulnerable."
— , Woke rhetoric & design in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (Paramount / CBS, 2026) (2026)
"He instructed us in that booming, authoritative voice of his."
"She spoke in an authoritative tone that silenced the room."
How to use authoritative
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTrusted as an expert source, or speaking with commanding confidence.
Common pairings
authoritative source
authoritative tone
authoritative account
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more authoritative
- Superlative
- most authoritative
Fill the gap
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This textbook is considered the _____ guide to the subject.
Etymology
From authority plus the suffix -ative, both ultimately from Latin auctor ("originator").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for authoritative
See all rhymes for authoritative →Frequently asked questions
What does “authoritative” mean?
The word “authoritative” means recognised as reliable, accurate, and worth trusting because of its expertise. In plain terms, trusted as an expert source, or speaking with commanding confidence.
How do you pronounce “authoritative”?
“Authoritative” is pronounced aw-THO-rih-tuh-tihv (/əˈθɔɹɪˌteɪtɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “authoritative” in a sentence?
Here is “authoritative” used in a sentence: “This textbook is considered the authoritative guide to the subject.”
What part of speech is “authoritative”?
“Authoritative” is an adjective.
Where does the word “authoritative” come from?
The word “authoritative” comes from Latin. From authority plus the suffix -ative, both ultimately from Latin auctor ("originator").
Is “authoritative” a common word?
“Authoritative” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “authoritative” have?
“Authoritative” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: recognised as reliable, accurate, and worth trusting because of its expertise.
