verb · formal
authorize
UK/ˈɔːθəraɪz/US/ˈɔːθəˌraɪz/AU·tho·rize
to give official permission for something or someone to do something
Examples
“The manager authorized overtime for employees during the busy period.”
“Only a supervisor can authorize the release of confidential data.”
“The government authorized new spending on public health.”
Band 8 sentence
“The agency must authorize any data-sharing agreement before it takes effect to protect citizens' privacy.”
Collocations
- authorize someone to do something
- authorize payment
Word family
Common mistakes
authorize to do something (without object)→authorize someone to do something
authorize = allow (always interchangeable)→authorize is more formal/legal than allow
Say it for a higher band
5allow→6permit→7+authorize
Synonyms
permit
Easily confused
permit
“Parents permitted their children to stay out late for the party.”
endorse
“The board endorsed the new policy during the meeting.”
Related words
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In -ize
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