authoritative
Definitions
Reliable and definitive because it comes from a trusted source
权威性的；可信赖的
Commanding and expecting to be obeyed
命令式的；威严的
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedFrom authority + -ive (tending to / having the nature of). To be authoritative is to carry the weight of the original source: either trustworthy and definitive (an authoritative account) or commanding in manner (an authoritative voice).
Root author still carries 6 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.authoritative source权威来源
- 2.authoritative account权威的叙述
- 3.authoritative voice威严的嗓音
- 4.authoritative tone命令式的口吻
Example Sentences
- 1.
This dictionary is the most authoritative reference on modern usage.
- 2.
She spoke in a calm, authoritative tone that ended the argument.
- 3.
We need an authoritative source before publishing the claim.
Easily Confused
authoritative vs authoritarian — both come from authority but mean opposite things in tone. authoritative is positive: reliable, expert, definitive (an authoritative guide). authoritarian is negative: demanding blind obedience, dictatorial (an authoritarian regime). If it earns trust → authoritative; if it crushes dissent → authoritarian.