noun · academic

authority

UK/ɔːˈθɒrəti/US/əˈθɔːrəti/au·THOR·i·ty

Band 5-6task2speaking

the power or right to give orders, make decisions, or enforce rules; an expert or official body

Examples

Local authorities are responsible for waste collection.

She is an authority on climate modelling.

You should cite an authoritative source when making claims.

Band 8 sentence

Policy recommendations without endorsement from the relevant authorities are unlikely to be implemented effectively.

Collocations

  • local authority
  • exercise authority
  • an authority on

Word family

authority nounauthoritative adjective

Common mistakes

the local authorities isthe local authorities are

in authority ofin authority / under the authority of

Say it for a higher band

5boss6power7+authority

Synonyms

power

Easily confused

authority vs. power

Although he has the power to influence decisions, he lacks the formal authority to change policy.

Related words

Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.

In Sublist 2

Learn it with its set