Origin: Latin suffix -ive
Authoritative has 4 different meanings across 1 category:
having authority or ascendancy or influence
"an important official"
"the captain's authoritative manner"
sanctioned by established authority
"an authoritative communique"
"the authorized biography"
Arising or originating from a figure of authority
"The judge issued an authoritative ruling that settled the dispute immediately."
In plain English: Authoritative means having official power and being trusted to give orders that people follow because they are right.
"The professor gave authoritative answers to all our questions during the lecture."
Usage: Use this adjective to describe sources, voices, or statements that carry weight because they come from an expert or official position. Avoid confusing it with "authoritarian," which implies controlling behavior rather than established credibility.
The word authoritative comes from combining the root of authority with a suffix that turns it into an adjective. It entered English to describe someone or something possessing official power or command.