Main Entry:

au·thor·i·ta·tive

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈthär-ə-ˌtā-tiv, ȯ-, -ˈthȯr-\

Function:

adjective

Date:

1605

1 a: having or proceeding from authority : official <authoritative church doctrines> b: showing evident authority : definitive <a most authoritative literary critique>2: dictatorial 2

— au·thor·i·ta·tive·ly adverb

— au·thor·i·ta·tive·ness noun