autorizar
verbCEFR B2
What does “autorizar” mean in English?
to licence, to authorise
to licence, to authorise (autorizar el uso de — give official permission for something to happen or be used)
Example sentences
La autoridad sanitaria autorizó el uso del nuevo fármaco tras revisar los resultados de los ensayos clínicos.
The health authority authorised the use of the new drug after reviewing the results of the clinical trials.
Solo el director general está autorizado a firmar contratos que superen los cien mil euros.
Only the managing director is authorised to sign contracts exceeding one hundred thousand euros.
El banco no autorizó la transacción porque el importe superaba el límite diario establecido para esa cuenta.
The bank did not authorise the transaction because the amount exceeded the daily limit set for that account.
How to use it
Autorizar means 'to authorise', 'to approve', or 'to licence'. Structure: autorizar a alguien a + infinitive (authorise someone to do something), autorizar algo (approve/authorise something). At B2, it appears in administrative, legal, and professional contexts: autorizar una operación, autorizar el uso de, el director autorizó... Key phrase: estar autorizado a (to be authorised/permitted to). Don't confuse with permitir (allow — less formal, can be informal) or aprobar (approve — can be general agreement or legislative approval).
Common mistake
Autorizar a alguien a + infinitive requires the preposition a before both the person (indirect object a) and before the infinitive: 'autorizó al director a firmar' (authorised the director to sign). The double a can confuse learners. Estar autorizado para is also correct: 'está autorizado para firmar'.