SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

with authority

Definition of with authority

: with the confident quality of someone who knows a lot about something or who is respected or obeyed by other people She spoke with authority about the history of the building.

Word by Word Definitions

authorityplay

: power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior
: freedom granted by one in authority : right
: persons in command

See the full definition of authority

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up with authority? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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WORD OF THE DAY

alleviate

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to relieve or lessen

Words at Play

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We're Down With You Being—or Your Being?—a Square

It's about (you? your?) having your say.

Devilish Words

Don't blame a word use error on the devil.

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How 'Wonderful' Lost Its Sense of Wonder

A case of semantic bleaching

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Don't Let Reading This Be Another 'Coulda' 'Shoulda' 'Woulda'

PSA: They're three separate words.

Ask the Editors

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Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

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Time Traveler Quiz: Which Word Came First?

Which word entered the English language first?

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Name More Food!

Test your knowledge of food vocabulary!

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True or False?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

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Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

Play the game