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.
TotalEnergies authorized share buybacks of $2.5 billion for the fourth quarter of 2026 and up to $2.5 billion for the subsequent quarter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 28, 2026
Sepulveda said the softball program also is being looked at because of the addition of a new fence that was not authorized and is being demolished.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
When Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill, he authorized what many advocates considered the most inclusive legislation in the country.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 27, 2026
Credit freezes limit authorized access to your credit reports, so they can complicate approval of an application, Experian adds.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 22, 2026
Sailors and authorized personnel darted every which way as we progressed through the corridors.
From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys
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.
