unauthorized
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Not having any authority.
Adjective
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Without official authorization.
Adjective
Examples
The dangers of scofflawry vary wildly. The person who illegally spits on the sidewalk remains disgusting, but clearly poses less risk to others than the company that illegally buries hazardous chemical waste in an unauthorized location.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “unauthorized” mean?
Not having any authority.
Is “unauthorized” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.