authoritative
UK[ɔːˈθɒrɪtətɪv]US[əˈθɔːrəteɪtɪv]
adj
Having the confident quality of someone who is respected or obeyed because of their knowledge or official position.
adj
Showing that you are confident, in control, and expect to be respected and obeyed.
adj
Considered to be the best and accurate, and therefore likely to be obeyed.
Morpheme Breakdown
author
itat
ive
author
originator
itat
state/condition
ive
adjective-forming suffix
Etymology
The word 'authoritative' traces its lineage to the Latin verb augere, meaning "to increase or promote." From this came auctor, signifying an originator or founder—one who promotes growth or establishes something. The suffix -itas was added to form abstract nouns of state, leading to auctoritas, the Roman concept of authority, influence, and legitimate power. Passing into English via Old French, the core 'author' combined with the nominalizing '-ity' and the adjectival '-ive' to create 'authoritative,' an adjective describing the quality of possessing commanding, reliable, and legitimate influence derived from a source of origin.
Analysis
Structure: author (originator) + itat (state/condition) + ive (adjective-forming suffix)
- author: From Latin auctor (originator, founder, promoter), from augere (to increase, originate, promote). Functions as the core root.
- itat: A representation of the Latin suffix -itas (denoting state or condition), which passed through Old French -ité to become English -ity. In this word, it appears in a bound form.
- ive: From Latin -ivus, an adjective-forming suffix meaning "pertaining to, tending to."
Examples
She has an authoritative manner that commands respect in meetings.
This book is considered the most authoritative guide to medieval history.
The judge spoke in an authoritative tone, silencing the courtroom.