Autority vs. Authority — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on April 4, 2024
"Autority" is the incorrect spelling, while "Authority" is the correct spelling. Authority denotes the power or right to give orders or make decisions.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Autority or Authority
How to spell Authority?
Autority
Incorrect Spelling
Authority
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Visualize a badge or a seal when you think of "Authority," emphasizing its correctness.
Remember "au-THOR-ity" to emphasize the "THOR" part.
"Autority" lacks the "th" sound found in many authoritative words.
Associate "Authority" with "Author," implying originality and control.
"Authority" has "thor" like "Thor," the powerful Norse god.
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How Do You Spell Authority Correctly?
Incorrect: He tried to challenge the local autority on the new law.
Correct: He tried to challenge the local authority on the new law.
Incorrect: The police showed their badges as a sign of autority.
Correct: The police showed their badges as a sign of authority.
Incorrect: Without proper autority, he made significant decisions.
Correct: Without proper authority, he made significant decisions.
Incorrect: The school principal has the autority to enforce rules.
Correct: The school principal has the authority to enforce rules.
Incorrect: She questioned his autority in the meeting.
Correct: She questioned his authority in the meeting.
Authority Definitions
The power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior.
She spoke with authority on the subject.
An accepted source of expert information or advice.
The book is an authority on ancient civilizations.
Convincing force due to competence or expertise.
His experience gave his statements an air of authority.
In the fields of sociology and political science, authority is the legitimate power that a person or a group of persons possess and practice over other people. In a civil state, authority is made formal by way of a judicial branch and an executive branch of government.In the exercise of governance, the terms authority and power are inaccurate synonyms.
The power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge.
One that is invested with this power, especially a government or body of government officials
Land titles issued by the civil authority.
Power assigned to another; authorization
Deputies were given authority to make arrests.
A public agency or corporation with administrative powers in a specified field
A city transit authority.
An accepted source of expert information or advice
A noted authority on birds.
A reference book often cited as an authority.
A quotation or citation from such a source
Biblical authorities for a moral argument.
Justification; grounds
On what authority do you make such a claim?.
A conclusive statement or decision that may be taken as a guide or precedent.
Power to influence or persuade resulting from knowledge or experience
Political observers who acquire authority with age.
Confidence derived from experience or practice; firm self-assurance
Played the sonata with authority.
(uncountable) Power or right to make or enforce rules or give orders; or a position having such power or right.
I have the authority to penalise the staff in my department, but not the authority to sack them.
Vigilantes may have the power to nab criminals, but they lack the authority.
She lost all respect and authority after turning up drunk at the meeting.
Respect my authority!
(plural) Persons, regarded collectively, who occupy official positions of power; police or law enforcement.
Authorities say the suspect fled on foot.
(countable) A reliable, definitive source of information on a subject.
The world's foremost authority on orangutans
My cheap dictionary is not the authority on word derivations.
(uncountable) Status as a trustworthy source of information, reputation for mastery or expertise; or claim to such status or reputation.
Some thinkers regard appealing to authority as a logical fallacy; others regard it as a legitimate form of argument.
Official permission; authorisation to act in some capacity on behalf of a ruling entity.
(countable) A government-owned agency that runs a revenue-generating activity for public benefit.
New York Port Authority
Chicago Transit Authority
Legal or rightful power; a right to command or to act; power exercised buy a person in virtue of his office or trust; dominion; jurisdiction; authorization; as, the authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over children; the authority of a court.
Thus can the demigod, Authority,Make us pay down for our offense.
By what authority doest thou these things ?
Government; the persons or the body exercising power or command; as, the local authorities of the States; the military authorities.
The power derived from opinion, respect, or esteem; influence of character, office, or station, or mental or moral superiority, and the like; claim to be believed or obeyed; as, an historian of no authority; a magistrate of great authority.
That which, or one who, is claimed or appealed to in support of opinions, actions, measures, etc.
Wilt thou be glass wherein it shall discernAuthority for sin, warrant for blame.
The power or right to give orders or make decisions;
He has the authority to issue warrants
Deputies are given authorization to make arrests
(usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others;
The authorities have issued a curfew
An expert whose views are taken as definitive;
He is an authority on corporate law
Freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities;
His assurance in his superiority did not make him popular
After that failure he lost his confidence
She spoke with authority
An administrative unit of government;
The Central Intelligence Agency
The Census Bureau
Office of Management and Budget
Tennessee Valley Authority
Official permission or approval;
Authority for the program was renewed several times
An authoritative written work;
This book is the final authority on the life of Milton
A governmental agency or corporation to administer a revenue-producing public enterprise.
The transit authority oversees public transportation.
Permission or power granted, especially to act.
The officer has the authority to arrest criminals.
Authority Meaning in a Sentence
The library grants access only to those with proper authority.
In ancient cultures, authority was often derived from divine sources.
Governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed.
Judges have the authority to interpret and apply the law.
Local councils have the authority to regulate parking.
The captain has full authority over the ship and its crew.
With great authority comes great responsibility.
The teacher has the authority to assign extra homework.
Parents have the authority to set curfews for their children.
Historians have the authority to interpret historical texts.
The president exercised his authority by signing the executive order.
The manager has the authority to adjust employees' schedules.
The committee has the authority to approve or deny the proposal.
She has the authority to speak on behalf of the organization.
Teachers often have authority over classroom policies.
The editor has the authority to make final decisions on the manuscript.
A guardian has legal authority over a minor's well-being.
Authors have the authority to decide the fate of their characters.
She felt a sense of authority after being promoted to team leader.
The museum director has the authority to acquire new artworks.
Authority Idioms & Phrases
To assume authority
To take control or a leadership role, often without official approval.
He assumed authority in the crisis when no one else would.
Have something on good authority
To believe something because a trustworthy person has said it.
I have it on good authority that the store will have a sale next week.
In authority
Holding a position of power or control.
As the mayor, he is a person in authority in the city.
Speak with authority
To talk about something showing great knowledge or confidence.
The scientist spoke with authority about climate change.
Authority on
To be an expert on a particular subject.
She is an authority on medieval literature.
To be under someone's authority
To be controlled or governed by someone.
The employees are under the authority of their manager.
Question authority
To doubt or challenge those in power.
It's important to question authority to ensure transparency and fairness.
Common Curiosities
Which vowel is used before Authority?
The indefinite article "an" is used before Authority.
What is the singular form of Authority?
The singular form is "authority."
Why is it called Authority?
Derived from Latin "auctoritas," which means "invention, advice, opinion, influence, command."
What is the plural form of Authority?
The plural form is "authorities."
What is the verb form of Authority?
The related verb is "authorize."
What is the pronunciation of Authority?
aw-THOR-uh-tee.
What is the root word of Authority?
The root is Latin "auctoritas."
Which article is used with Authority?
"An" or "the" depending on the context.
Which conjunction is used with Authority?
Any conjunction can be used with "authority" depending on the context, such as "and" or "but."
Is Authority an abstract noun?
Yes, it's an abstract noun as it represents an idea or concept.
Is Authority a vowel or consonant?
"Authority" is a word composed of both vowels and consonants.
Is the Authority term a metaphor?
Not inherently, but can be used metaphorically.
Is Authority a collective noun?
No, it's not a collective noun.
What is the stressed syllable in Authority?
The second syllable, "thor."
What part of speech is Authority?
It's a noun.
What is another term for Authority?
Power or jurisdiction.
Which determiner is used with Authority?
Determiners like "this," "that," "my," "an," or "the" can be used.
Which preposition is used with Authority?
"Under" as in "under the authority of."
Is Authority a noun or adjective?
Authority is a noun.
Is Authority an adverb?
No, it's not an adverb.
How many syllables are in Authority?
Four syllables.
How do we divide Authority into syllables?
au-thor-i-ty.
What is the opposite of Authority?
Submissiveness or powerlessness.
Is Authority a negative or positive word?
Neutral by itself, but context can give it positive or negative connotations.
Is the word Authority a gerund?
No, it's not a gerund.
Is the word "Authority" a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can function as a direct object, e.g., "They questioned his authority."
Is Authority a countable noun?
Yes, for instance, "local authorities."
What is the first form of Authority?
Authority is a noun and doesn't have verb forms.
What is the second form of Authority?
Again, Authority doesn't have verb forms.
How is Authority used in a sentence?
"The council has the authority to make decisions on behalf of the community."
Is the word Authority imperative?
No, it's not imperative; it's a noun.
What is the third form of Authority?
As previously mentioned, Authority doesn't have verb forms.
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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.
