What does authority mean?
Word: Authority
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Authority means the right to give orders, make decisions and be obeyed. It can also mean an official group in charge of something, or a person who knows a great deal about a subject.
Synonyms: control, command
Antonyms: weakness
How do you spell authority?
Syllables: au - thor - i - ty
Tricky part: The vowel after th is o, not e: students who hear the second syllable often write autherity.
Watch out for: autherity, authurity
Memory tip: Thorough and this word both put an o straight after the th, never an e.
Authority in a sentence
Example 1: Only the principal has the authority to declare a holiday.
Example 2: The traffic police have the authority to fine drivers who jump a red light.
Example 3: Dr Rao is an authority on snakes of the Western Ghats.
Fun Fact
The Civil Aviation Authority looks after the safety of flying in the United Kingdom.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word: authority
a) freedom
b) power
c) fear
d) duty
Show answer
b) power. Someone with authority has the power to decide; duty is what you must do, not the right to command.
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) security
b) priority
c) athority
d) majority
Show answer
c) athority. The word needs au before the th, just like author.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
yoruthait
a) authorship
b) authorial
c) authorise
d) authority
Show answer
d) authority. Authorise, authorial and authorship all end differently; the y in the jumble can only finish authority.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
authoritty
a) o
b) t
c) h
d) y
Show answer
b) t. Author keeps its single t, and so does the ity ending.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A scientist who is an authority on the moon is ____.
a) a beginner in it
b) afraid of it
c) bored by it
d) an expert on it
Show answer
d) an expert on it
2. Who has the authority to stop a cricket match because of bad light?
a) the ball boys
b) the spectators
c) the umpires
d) the commentators
Show answer
c) the umpires
