Authoritative
adjective /ɔːˈθɒrɪtətɪv/ — Commanding confidence and trust — the manner of someone who genuinely knows.
Definition
Able to be trusted as accurate or true; (of a person) commanding and self-confident; relating to or denoting reliable information from an expert source.
Beyond the definition
Authoritative is the word for earned authority — not the authority of position but of genuine expertise and presence. When someone speaks authoritatively, the room quiets not because they're loud but because they know.
Origin & history
From Latin auctoritas — authority, influence, power to originate (from auctor: originator, author). The authority of the author — the one who created, who therefore knows.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Her authoritative tone came from having been right too many times to need to insist on it.
The most authoritative voice in any room is usually the quietest one — the one that doesn't need to perform certainty.
He gave an authoritative presentation — every claim sourced, every objection anticipated.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Authoritative” when the meaning fits your context: Able to be trusted as accurate or true; (of a person) commanding and self-confident; relating to or denoting reliable information from an expert source.
Synonyms
commanding, credible, definitive, expert, reliable, decisive
Antonyms
uncertain, tentative, unreliable, weak
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Leader reviewing plans with team
An experienced leader reviews a map and model with colleagues, posture composed and hands open, indicating expertise.
The leader’s presence and calm review of technical plans convey trusted knowledge. The lack of intimidation shows an authority built on reliability and accurate, well-considered guidance rather than coercion.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Authoritative" mean?
Authoritative is adjective meaning: Commanding confidence and trust — the manner of someone who genuinely knows.. Able to be trusted as accurate or true; (of a person) commanding and self-confident; relating to or denoting reliable information from an expert source.
Where does the word "Authoritative" come from?
From Latin auctoritas — authority, influence, power to originate (from auctor: originator, author). The authority of the author — the one who created, who therefore knows.