authorization
gb/ˌɔθɚɪzˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌɔθɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
B2
English
~ 6100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
official permission to do something
Official permission from a person or group in power to do something.
Usage pattern:
authorization to [do something]; authorization for [something]; authorization from [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "authorization" with "author" or "authority" because they look similar. "Authorization" is permission; "author" is a person who writes, and "authority" is the power or the person/organization that can give permission. Learners also overuse "authorization" in casual contexts where simple "permission" sounds more natural.
Synonyms
permission (More general and more common in everyday speech; does not always imply formal or official approval.)
|
approval (Focuses on someone agreeing to something rather than on the formal right to do it.)
Antonyms
prohibition (Emphasizes that something is officially not allowed, the opposite of official permission.)
|
refusal (Highlights the act of not giving permission when it is requested.)
Collocations
obtain authorization
|require authorization
|with proper authorization
|without authorization
|prior authorization
|written authorization
Themes
business
|law
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You must obtain authorization from your manager before making any large purchases.
- Access to the lab is strictly limited and requires prior authorization.
- He traveled without authorization and was questioned when he returned.
- The company cannot charge your card without your express authorization.
- No one is allowed to enter this area without written authorization.
Learner examples
- I need authorization from my boss to work from home.
- You cannot see these files without authorization.
- The doctor asked for my authorization before starting the treatment.
- Students need authorization to leave school early.
- She gave the bank authorization to use her data.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
2
document granting official permission
A paper or digital form that says you are officially allowed to do a specific thing.
Usage pattern:
an authorization for [something]; an authorization to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "sign a permission" instead of "sign an authorization" or "sign a consent form" when they mean a specific legal or official document. "Permission" is usually uncountable in this sense and not used for the physical document.
Synonyms
consent form (Common in medical and legal contexts; focuses on agreeing after understanding risks, rather than on power or authority.)
|
permit (Often a more specific type of official document, especially for activities like driving or building.)
Antonyms
revocation (Refers to officially taking back or cancelling a document that previously gave permission.)
Collocations
authorization form
|authorization letter
|signed authorization
|written authorization
|parental authorization
|medical authorization
Themes
business
|law
|administration
Examples
- Please sign this authorization form so we can request your medical records.
- The bank requires written authorization before transferring such a large amount.
- Parents must provide a signed authorization for their children to go on the trip.
- The technician cannot start work without an authorization from the building owner.
- We received the necessary authorization letter from the insurance company yesterday.
Learner examples
- You must fill out this authorization form before the surgery.
- The school asked for an authorization from my parents.
- I gave the company an authorization to use my photo.
- The doctor cannot talk to your family without your written authorization.
- They sent me an authorization letter for the payment.
unknown
formal
C1
action
3
act or process of approving
The official action of giving someone permission to do something.
Usage pattern:
the authorization of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use only the verb "approve" when a more formal noun is expected in writing, for example writing "after the approve of the plan" instead of "after the authorization of the plan" or "after the approval of the plan". Also, they may confuse "authorization of" with "author" and write "the author of the plan" by mistake.
Synonyms
sanctioning (More formal and less common; emphasizes official approval, especially by a government or high-level body.)
|
ratification (Used especially for treaties, agreements, or decisions that must be formally accepted by an authority.)
Antonyms
rejection (Describes an authority deciding not to approve a proposal or request.)
|
veto (A specific kind of formal refusal by someone with the power to stop a decision.)
Collocations
authorization of the budget
|authorization of the project
|authorization process
|final authorization
|authorization procedure
Themes
business
|government
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The authorization of the new drug took several years of testing and review.
- Parliament delayed the authorization of additional military spending.
- Final authorization of the merger rests with the competition authority.
- The authorization of the construction project is still under discussion.
- Shareholders must vote on the authorization of any major restructuring.
Learner examples
- The authorization of the plan took many months.
- We are still waiting for the authorization of the contract.
- Government authorization of the new rules was slower than expected.
- The authorization of the budget happens every year.
- Board authorization of the deal is required.
Noun
technical
C1
action
4
IT process deciding access rights
In computer systems, the step that decides what a logged-in user can see or change.
Usage pattern:
authorization for [user / service] to [access something]
Common mistake:
Learners working in IT often confuse "authentication" (proving identity) with "authorization" (deciding allowed actions). They may also say "the authorization of user" instead of the more natural "authorization of a user" or "user authorization".
Synonyms
access control (A broader technical term for managing who can use which resources; includes authorization but also other mechanisms.)
Antonyms
unauthorized access (Refers to using a system or data without having the rights or permissions granted by authorization.)
Collocations
user authorization
|access authorization
|authentication and authorization
|authorization server
|authorization token
|authorization protocol
Themes
technology
|security
|science
Examples
- Our system separates authentication from authorization to improve security.
- The API will return an error if authorization fails.
- OAuth is a widely used standard for user authorization on the web.
- The application stores user roles to simplify authorization checks.
- A security breach occurred because the authorization rules were misconfigured.
Learner examples
- Authentication checks who you are; authorization checks what you can do.
- The website needs authorization before it can see your data.
- Bad authorization settings can let users see private information.
- The admin panel is only for users with special authorization.
- Engineers tested the authorization process before launch.
Grammar
Dictionary form
authorization
IPA
GB/ˌɔθɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌɔθɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
au - thor - iz - a - tion (5 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (iz)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: authorization
- Plural: authorization, authorizations
Word family
Forms
authorizations
noun
Core family
authorize
verb B1
authorized
adjective
Related words
authority
noun B1
authoritative
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
unauthorized
adjective B2
Advanced or less common
authorizer
noun
Expressions
authorization code
1/ˌɔθɚɪzˈeɪʃən kˈoʊd/
fixed phrase
technical
code proving something is approved
A number or mixed-number-and-letter code that shows a payment or access request has been accepted.
Examples
- The payment was declined because the authorization code was missing.
- You will receive an authorization code by text to confirm your login.
authorization form
1/ˌɔθɚɪzˈeɪʃən fˈɔɹm/
fixed phrase
form used to give permission
A paper or online form that you sign or accept to say that something is allowed.
Examples
- Before we speak to your doctor, you must complete this authorization form.
- Parents filled out the authorization form for the school trip.
authorization to proceed
1/ˌɔθɚɪzˈeɪʃən tə pɹoʊsˈidz/
fixed phrase
formal
permission to start or continue
Official permission to start or go on with a plan or project.
Examples
- We cannot begin construction until we receive authorization to proceed.
- The contractor now has authorization to proceed with phase two of the work.
letter of authorization
1/lˈɛtɚ əv ˌɔθɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
written letter giving permission
A written letter that says another person or company can act for you or do something with your permission.
Examples
- Please bring a letter of authorization if someone else will collect the package.
- The bank asked for a letter of authorization before speaking to her accountant.
prior authorization
1/pɹˈaɪɚ ˌɔθɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
permission needed in advance
Official permission that you must get before you do something, often used for insurance, medical care, or travel.
Examples
- Many insurance plans require prior authorization for expensive tests.
- You need prior authorization before working overtime on this project.
without authorization
1/wɪðˈaʊt ˌɔθɚɪzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
doing something with no permission
To do something when you do not have the official permission to do it.
Examples
- Employees are not allowed to install software without authorization.
- He accessed the client database without authorization and was fired.