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