noun · academic
authority
UK/ɔːˈθɒrəti/US/əˈθɔːrəti/au·THOR·i·ty
Noun meaning power or a body with power; included here to show alternatives to using a -dom noun when discussing spheres of power in essays
Examples
“Local authorities are responsible for public services.”
“Discussing authority and its limits is common in Task 2 essays about governance.”
“In modern usage, speakers often prefer 'authority' or 'power' to awkward coinages with -dom.”
Band 8 sentence
“The authorities must balance security measures with respect for civil liberties.”
Collocations
- local authority
- exercise authority
- source of authority
Word family
Common mistakes
try to use 'officialdom' instead of 'authority' in academic essays→authority / the authorities
Say it for a higher band
5power→6authority→7+the authorities
Synonyms
power
Easily confused
the authorities
“The authorities have announced new measures.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In -dom
Learn it with its set