# authority vs authorize

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### authority
*noun · IPA /ɔːˈθɒɹəti/ · frequency rank #1,625*
Power or right to make or enforce rules, give orders, or impose obligation; or a position having such power or right.

### authorize
*verb · IPA /ˈɔθəɹaɪz/ · frequency rank #17,545*
To grant (someone) the permission or power necessary to do (something); to permit; to sanction or consent to.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/authority-vs-authorize