unauthorized
Americanadjective
-
lacking permission; unsanctioned.
unauthorized access.
-
lacking proper immigration or working papers: an unauthorized immigrant.
an unauthorized worker;
an unauthorized immigrant.
adjective
Sensitive Note
See illegal alien.
Etymology
Origin of unauthorized
First recorded in 1595–1600; un- 1 ( def. ) + authorized ( def. )
Explanation
If something is officially not approved, it's unauthorized. An unauthorized biography is written without the consent or cooperation of its subject. If a person lacks the authority to do something, you can describe them as unauthorized: "Sorry, I'm unauthorized to let you into the secret clubhouse." Otherwise, this adjective means "not permitted." Many unauthorized things are also illegal, like an online company's unauthorized use of personal information. To authorize is to give approval.
Vocabulary lists containing unauthorized
No Talking
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Novel Study: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapters 7–15
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Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Bolton was accused of sharing classified files by email with two "unauthorized individuals" who have not been identified but are believed to be his wife and daughter.
From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026
“When attorneys extend their practice into jurisdictions where they are not licensed or allow staff to engage in unauthorized legal work in those jurisdictions, they put clients at risk.”
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026
“Rather, Fender is working with the manufacturers to redesign the shapes, while the manufacturers sell off existing unauthorized inventory,” the company said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
“As is our regular practice, we send copyright notices to unauthorized websites that post copyrighted content from CBS and our network/studio talent,” the spokesperson asserted, insisting the copyright enforcement was simply routine intellectual-property protection.
From Salon • May 27, 2026
“This can’t be the first time an unauthorized person misspent money.”
From "Schooled" by Gordon Korman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
