Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
adjective
- having due authority; having the sanction or weight of authority: an authoritative opinion.
- 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.
- having an air of authority; accustomed to exercising authority; positive; peremptory; dictatorial: said with an authoritative air.
adjective
- recognized or accepted as being true or reliablean authoritative article on drugs
- exercising or asserting authority; commandingan authoritative manner
- possessing or supported by authority; officialan authoritative communiqué
adj.c.1600, “dictatorial” (a sense now restricted to authoritarian), from Medieval Latin authoritativus (see authority). Meaning “possessing authority” is recorded from 1650s; that of “proceeding from proper authority” is from 1809. Related: Authoritatively; authoritativeness.