Authority
noun /ɔːˈθɒrɪti/ — The power to command — and the quality of speech or presence that needs no permission.
Definition
The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience; a person or organization having political or administrative power; the confidence resulting from experience or expertise.
Beyond the definition
Authority in rhetoric is Aristotle's ethos — the power that comes not from the argument alone but from the speaker's known character and demonstrated expertise. True authority doesn't announce itself; it is simply felt.
Origin & history
From Latin auctoritas — opinion, influence (from auctor: author, originator, from augere: to increase). The originator's power — authority as the word of the one who created or knows the thing.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She spoke with an authority that made question feel unnecessary — and this was, she knew, to be watched.
Authority that has to be announced has already been questioned.
The authority in his voice came from experience, not performance.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Authority” when the meaning fits your context: The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience; a person or organization having political or administrative power; the confidence resulting from experience or expertise.
Synonyms
power, influence, command, credibility, expertise
Antonyms
powerlessness, subservience, inexpertise
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
Calm and Methodical Leadership
An experienced team leader reviews a map and model with colleagues, their posture composed, calm, and thoughtful.
The leader’s quiet, methodical leadership demonstrates authority derived from experience and expertise. By calmly guiding the meeting, they earn the respect of their colleagues without intimidation, exercising their power through a clear, reasoned process of architectural planning.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Authority" mean?
Authority is noun meaning: The power to command — and the quality of speech or presence that needs no permission.. The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience; a person or organization having political or administrative power; the confidence resulting from experience or expertise.
Where does the word "Authority" come from?
From Latin auctoritas — opinion, influence (from auctor: author, originator, from augere: to increase). The originator's power — authority as the word of the one who created or knows the thing.