authoritative

Authoritative is an adjective that describes something having or arising from authority; it denotes credibility, accuracy, and recognized standing. An authoritative source or voice is one that is considered reliable because of expertise, official position, or adherence to accepted standards. The term often implies that the information or assertion can be trusted and is backed by evidence or formal authorization.

Etymology traces the word to authority, from Latin auctoritas “influence, esteem,” through Old French and English. The suffix -ive forms an adjective meaning “having the quality of” or “characterized by.”

In research, journalism, and education, an authoritative source is typically produced by an expert, a professional organization, or an institution with recognized credentials. Assessing authority involves considering expertise, methodological soundness, transparency, currency, and potential biases. These criteria help distinguish credible material from less reliable statements.

In technology, the term has specific technical meanings. In computing networks, an authoritative server or DNS server holds the original data for a domain and provides definitive answers to queries, as opposed to non-authoritative servers that may rely on cached information. Similar uses appear in other domains where an entity is designated as the primary, recognized reference point.

Other uses include describing tone or style. An authoritative tone asserts confidence and competence, while in psychology, authoritative parenting refers to a balanced approach that combines warmth with clear, consistent limits.