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.
Agents from Homeland Security Investigations executed a search warrant authorized by a federal judge, according to the Associated Press and The Washington Post.
From Salon ● Oct. 12, 2026
The number of pedicabs authorized in New York is capped at 840 but, according to figures shared at a council hearing, around 1,500 are currently operating -- only 330 of which are licensed.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
Condon said a price hasn’t been set, but a real estate expert familiar with the property but not authorized to speak about it publicly said the office and retail portion is worth about $160 million.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026
These relief orders temporarily exempt authorized trading venues and market makers from certain rules that previously prevented trading in digital tokens that represent shares of listed companies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
But instead of pulling the gift when she died, they'd authorized Haymitch to give it to me.
From "The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
