authorized
AmericanOther Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of authorized
Explanation
Something that's authorized is officially approved. If the principal of your school has given you the go-ahead to throw a Hawaiian-themed party, you can call it an authorized luau. The adjective authorized comes from the verb authorize, which means "give formal approval or sanction to." Both words go back to the Latin root auctor, "authority." So when an authority grants her approval or permission to do something, it becomes authorized. You'll need an authorized passport if you want to travel to a foreign country.
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.
The lawsuit claims Deere restricts access to software for construction and forestry equipment, forcing owners to use authorized dealers.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 15, 2026
The last of those provisions would have to be authorized by Congress, the letter states, asking for documents and a response from the company by Wednesday.
From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026
Anthropic on Monday updated its web page warning investors about unauthorized stock sales, mentioning a handful of firms it said were not authorized to buy or sell its shares.
From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026
Last week, Washington authorized Venezuela to hire advisers for a possible restructuring.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
It was not an authorized weapon for the A camp, but Big Jim had somehow managed to get his hands on it.
From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge
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.
