# authorize

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈɔθəɹaɪz/ · frequency rank #17,545

## Definitions
1. To grant (someone) the permission or power necessary to do (something); to permit; to sanction or consent to.

## Etymology
From Middle English auctorisen, from Old French auctorisier, from Medieval Latin auctorizare, from Latin auctor.
See author about the orthography with ⟨h⟩. Doublet of octroy.

## Easily confused with
- **authorized** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/authorize-vs-authorized)
- **authority** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/authority-vs-authorize)
- **authorise** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/authorise-vs-authorize)

## Common misspellings (12)
`atuhorize`, `auhtorize`, `authhorize`, `authoirze`, `authoriez`, `authorizze`, `authorrize`, `authorzie`, `authroize`, `autohrize`, `autthorize`, `uathorize`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/authorize