Meaning & use
authorized person
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountableformallaw
Someone who has official permission to do something or enter a place.
Grammar: Countable: you can say 'an authorized person' or 'authorized persons' in formal writing.
Patterns
- authorized person for something
- authorized person to do something
Only an authorized person may enter the laboratory after hours.
The document must be signed by an authorized person from the company.
Security guards check that each visitor is an authorized person.
nouncountablelegalformal
In law, a person legally allowed to act for someone else or for an organization.
Grammar: Often used in legal documents with 'duly' or 'properly': 'a duly authorized person'.
Patterns
- duly authorized person
- authorized person of the company
A duly authorized person must witness the signing of the will.
The bank will only speak to an authorized person on the account.
She is an authorized person to receive legal notices for the firm.
Word forms
| plural | authorized persons |
|---|
Common combinations
- duly authorized person
- Only a duly authorized person can access these records.
- authorized person for
- He is the authorized person for handling media questions.
- authorized person to enter
- No authorized person to enter without a badge.
- list of authorized persons
- The list of authorized persons is kept at the front desk.
Synonyms and how they differ
- representative
- A representative is someone chosen to act for a group, but they may not have official legal permission for every action.
- agent
- An agent acts for another person in business or law; 'authorized person' is broader and can include anyone with permission, not just a business agent.
Opposites
Word family
- authorize verb
- To give official permission for something.
- authorization noun
- Official permission or approval.
- authorized adjective
- Having official permission.
Commonly confused: authorized person or authoritative person?
authorized person vs authoritative person
Authoritative means 'reliable or commanding,' not 'having permission.' An authoritative person is trusted or in charge, while an authorized person simply has official permission.
Practice
The contract is valid only if it is signed by a(n) ______ person.
Choose one answer.
'Authorized' means having official permission, which fits signing a contract. 'Authoritative' means reliable or commanding, 'authoring' means writing, and 'authoritarian' means strict and controlling—none fit the legal context.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “authorized person”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.