Authorized vs. Permitted — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on October 10, 2023
Authorized refers to having official permission or approval, often from a specific authority, while permitted means allowed by rules or laws, not necessarily involving a specific authority’s approval.
Difference Between Authorized and Permitted
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Authorized and Permitted are both associated with permission or approval but in different contexts and magnitudes. Authorized primarily refers to having official permission or the power given to act, often granted by a specific authority, entity, or individual, implying a formal approval process. Permitted, however, generally means being allowed by rules, laws, or conditions, which may not necessarily involve a specific authority or a formal authorization process.
Authorized usually implies that an individual, organization, or action has received explicit approval from an authority to perform a specific task, access certain information, or utilize specific powers. It often suggests a degree of trust and responsibility, associated with formal permissions, and is usually more rigid. In contrast, permitted implies a more general allowance, based on compliance with rules, regulations, or conditions, and it may lack the formality and specificity associated with being authorized.
For example, an authorized person may have the official right to access confidential information, implying a thorough verification process and a high level of trust. Whereas, a person may be permitted to enter a building if they comply with the entry conditions, like wearing a mask, which doesn’t necessarily imply a specific approval or trust level.
In legal contexts, being authorized often means having formal, documented approval to undertake specific actions or roles and may require qualifications, verifications, and clearances. Being permitted, on the other hand, often refers to actions or behaviors that are allowed by law or regulations, which can be more broad-based and not necessarily require explicit, formal approval or documentation.
In essence, while both terms relate to permission and allowance, being authorized often involves more formal, specific approvals and a higher level of trust and responsibility. Being permitted, conversely, refers to a broader, more general allowance based on compliance with rules or laws and may not necessitate formal approval or a high level of trust.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Having official permission or power to act, usually from a specific authority.
Being allowed by rules, laws, or conditions, not necessarily involving specific authority’s approval.
Formality
Involves formal, specific approvals and often a higher level of trust and responsibility.
May lack the formality and specificity and doesn’t necessarily imply specific approval or trust level.
Scope
Usually more specific and related to individual tasks, roles, or access.
Generally broader, related to allowed actions or behaviors based on compliance with rules or laws.
Legal Implication
Often requires formal documentation, qualifications, verifications, and clearances.
Actions or behaviors that are allowed by law or regulations, not necessarily requiring explicit, formal approval or documentation.
Contextual Application
Common in formal, official, and legal contexts where specific approval is needed.
Common in everyday language to describe what is allowed based on rules, conditions, or laws.
Compare with Definitions
Authorized
Authorized means having received official permission to act.
The authorized personnel have access to classified information.
Permitted
Permitted means allowed by rules or laws.
Photography is not permitted inside the museum.
Authorized
Authorized can also mean being officially allowed access or privileges.
Only authorized users can access the secure database.
Permitted
Permitted implies being allowed to do something.
She is permitted to leave the hospital tomorrow.
Authorized
Authorized can mean officially approved or sanctioned.
The authorized biography provides insights into his personal life.
Permitted
Permitted can mean being granted permission or consent.
The students are permitted to use the library’s resources.
Authorized
Authorized implies being empowered by someone with authority.
The manager is authorized to make decisions on behalf of the team.
Permitted
Permitted refers to something that is allowable or permissible.
Smoking is not permitted in any area of the building.
Authorized
To grant authority or power to.
Permitted
Permitted can also describe something that is officially tolerated or accepted.
Small pets are permitted in this apartment building.
Authorized
To give permission for (something); sanction
The city agency that authorizes construction projects.
Permitted
Simple past tense and past participle of permit
Authorized
Explicitly allowed.
Permitted
Allowed, authorized.
Authorized
Simple past tense and past participle of authorize
Permitted
Possible to allow;
A degree of freedom allowable among friends
Authorized
Possessed of or endowed with authority; as, an authorized agent.
Authorized
Sanctioned by authority.
Authorized
Endowed with authority
Authorized
Sanctioned by established authority;
An authoritative communique
The authorized biography
Authorized
Authorized refers to being formally granted the right or power to do something.
The agent is authorized to negotiate contracts for the actor.
Common Curiosities
What is the meaning of permitted?
Permitted means being allowed to do something by rules, laws, or conditions.
Can permitted refer to general allowances?
Yes, permitted often refers to a broader, more general allowance based on compliance with rules or laws.
Can a permitted action lack formal approval?
Yes, a permitted action can lack formal approval and may just involve compliance with general rules or laws.
Is being authorized a more rigid condition?
Typically, yes. Being authorized usually involves more rigid conditions, involving formal permissions and specific approvals.
Can an authorized person have a high level of trust?
Yes, an authorized person often has a high level of trust, especially when given access to sensitive information or significant responsibilities.
Does being permitted imply consent?
Yes, being permitted can imply that consent or permission has been granted, either explicitly or implicitly.
Does authorized always imply formality and specificity?
Generally, yes. Being authorized usually involves formal, specific approvals and often implies a higher level of trust and responsibility.
Can being authorized involve legal responsibilities?
Absolutely. Being authorized can come with legal responsibilities, especially when it involves formal approvals to perform significant tasks or roles.
What does authorized mean?
Authorized means having received official permission or approval to act, often from a specific authority or entity.
Does being permitted always involve legal contexts?
No, being permitted can be used in everyday language to describe what is allowed based on rules or conditions, not just in legal contexts.
Can a permitted action be a default condition?
Yes, a permitted action can be a default condition, especially when it aligns with general rules, laws, or norms.
Is permitted a more flexible term?
Generally, yes. Permitted is often more flexible, referring to what is allowable based on general conditions or rules.
Can authorized access involve official credentials?
Yes, authorized access often involves official credentials, verifying the individual’s right to access specific resources or information.
Is being authorized equivalent to being empowered?
Yes, being authorized is often equivalent to being empowered to act in specific ways or perform specific tasks.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
