authority

Intermediate

/əˈθɔːr.ə.t̬i/

noun
the moral or legal right or ability to control

authority in a sentence

  • “He had an air of quiet authority.”
  • “The United Nations has used/ exerted / exercised its authority to restore peace in the area.”
  • “We need to get the support of someone in authority (= an important or high-ranking person).”
  • “They've been acting illegally and without authority (= permission) from the council.”

What does “authority” mean?

authority (noun) means the moral or legal right or ability to control. It is pronounced /əˈθɔːr.ə.t̬i/. Vocaby pairs the definition with audio and real example sentences so the word is easy to remember — and brings it back for review right before you'd forget it.

Frequently asked questions

What does "authority" mean?
authority (noun) means: the moral or legal right or ability to control
How do you pronounce "authority"?
"authority" is pronounced /əˈθɔːr.ə.t̬i/ in IPA. You can tap to hear it spoken aloud in the Vocaby app.
How do you use "authority" in a sentence?
Here is "authority" used in a sentence: He had an air of quiet authority.

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