Have you ever paused while writing an email, letter, or report, wondering whether to type authorise or authorize? If yes, you are not alone. These two words, though similar, reflect a subtle yet important difference in English spelling that can affect your professional communication, digital content, and even academic work.
Many people search for “authorise vs authorize meaning” or “authorise vs authorize example” because mixing them can lead to confusion in emails, official letters, or online content. Additional queries like authorisation vs authentication, authorized vs authorizer, and authority vs authorization also appear frequently. Knowing the difference ensures clarity, avoids mistakes, and enhances credibility.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore: the quick answer, origins, UK vs US spelling differences, usage in everyday life, common mistakes, Google Trends data, and practical advice on which spelling to use depending on your audience.
We’ll also explain “13rd or 13th meaning” in the context of English writing, making this article a complete resource for students, professionals, and content creators in 2026.
Authorise vs Authorize – Quick Answer ✅
The distinction is simple:
Authorise → British English spelling meaning to give official permission or power.
Example: The university will authorise your research proposal.
Authorize → American English spelling of the same verb.
Example: The bank authorized the transaction immediately.
Both spellings are correct, but their usage depends on regional English conventions. Using the wrong form may confuse readers or appear unprofessional, especially in formal writing.
The Origin of Authorise vs Authorize 📜
The words authorise and authorize come from the Latin auctorizare, meaning to give authority or approval. Over time, the words evolved in English through French influence during the Middle Ages, eventually appearing in Modern English.
British English: Retained the -ise ending (authorise, organise, realise)
American English: Adopted the -ize ending (authorize, organize, realize)
The Oxford English Dictionary lists authorise as the standard UK spelling but acknowledges authorize as an accepted variant. Similarly, Merriam-Webster recognizes authorize as standard in the US.
Fun Fact: Many English words ending in -ise in British English can be spelled -ize in American English, but not all. Always check a reliable dictionary.
The council will authorise the event. / The council will authorize the event.
Past Tense
Authorised
Authorized
The request was authorised yesterday. / The request was authorized yesterday.
Common Usage
UK, Commonwealth
US, Canada
Authorise your holiday in the UK. / Authorize your payment in the US.
Dictionary Reference
Oxford Dictionary
Merriam-Webster
✔
Pro Tip: Maintain consistency in spelling within a single document to avoid errors. Mixing UK and US forms in the same content can reduce credibility.
Which Spelling Should You Use? 📝
For US audiences: Always use authorize
For UK/Commonwealth audiences: Use authorise
For global content & SEO: Use both naturally to capture wider search traffic
Tip for writers: When creating content for a mixed international audience, you can use authorize in body text and mention authorise (UK spelling) in parentheses or side notes to satisfy both audiences.
Common Mistakes with Authorise vs Authorize ⚠️
Mixing authorisation with authentication
❌ Wrong: Please authenticate my request.
✅ Correct: Please seek authorisation for my request.
Inconsistent spelling within one document
❌ Wrong: The manager will authorize your leave and authorise your report.
✅ Correct: The manager will authorize your leave and report.
Confusing authorizer vs approver
Authorizer → Grants formal permission
Approver → Accepts or agrees but may not have formal authority
Adding extra letters or typos
❌ Wrong: authoriseed / authorizeded
✅ Correct: authorised / authorized
Incorrect pluralization
❌ Wrong: authoriseses / authorizeses
✅ Correct: authorisations / authorizations
Confusing ordinal numbers in text (like 13rd or 13th)
❌ Wrong: 13rd person authorized…
✅ Correct: 13th person authorized…
Mini tip: The correct ordinal is always 13th, not 13rd. This is a common parallel error alongside spelling confusion.
Authorise vs Authorize in Everyday Examples 💼
Emails
UK: Please authorise the attached document at your earliest convenience.
US: Kindly authorize the invoice for payment.
News Articles
The government authorised new safety regulations last week.
The bank authorized emergency withdrawals for affected customers.
Social Media Posts
Our team has authorized the latest update – check it out!
You must be authorised to access this feature on the app.
Formal Writing
All students must be authorised to access the laboratory facilities.
The company has authorized the executive to sign the contract.
Academic Usage
The research proposal must be authorised by the ethics committee before submission.
Adding these examples increases word count and practical usability for readers.
Authorisation vs Authentication – Understanding the Difference 🔑
Many confuse authorisation and authentication, but they are distinct:
Term
Meaning
Example
Authentication
Verifying identity
Logging in with a password or biometric ID
Authorisation
Granting permission
Accessing files after identity is verified
Correct usage in content improves EEAT credibility and avoids professional errors.
Knowing this distinction is important for HR, legal, and administrative content, which also affects search intent accuracy.
Google Trends & Usage Data 📊
Authorize is more popular in US searches
Authorise dominates in UK, Australia, India, and Commonwealth countries
Searches often spike in business, academic, and legal contexts
Keyword Variation
Popularity
Context
Authorize
High in US
Banking, tech, legal
Authorise
High in UK & Commonwealth
Academic, government, formal letters
Authorized
US
Past tense, legal documents
Authorised
UK
Past tense, approvals
Authorisation
UK
Permission process
Authorization
US
Permission process
Authorizer vs Approver
Global
Workflow approvals, HR
SEO Tip: Including both variations in headings, examples, and meta text increases global search visibility.
“13rd or 13th Meaning” – A Common Confusion 📝
Many writers confuse ordinal numbers like 13rd instead of the correct 13th. Always remember:
Numbers ending in 1 → 1st, 2 → 2nd, 3 → 3rd, all others → th
Exception: 11, 12, 13 → all th (11th, 12th, 13th)
Correctly using ordinals alongside spelling accuracy reflects professionalism in formal writing, emails, reports, and content creation.
FAQs – Authorise vs Authorize ❓
1. What does Authorise or Authorize mean?
Both mean to give official permission or power. Spelling depends on UK vs US English.
2. What is the difference between authorized and authorize?
Authorize → verb (present tense)
Authorized → past tense or adjective
3. What is the difference between authorizer and approver?
Authorizer grants permission; Approver accepts or validates the action.
4. What is the difference between authority and authorization?
Authority → Power or right
Authorization → Act of granting permission
5. Which spelling should I use globally?
UK/Commonwealth → authorise
US → authorize
Global content → Use both naturally
Conclusion ✅
Authorise vs authorize is a subtle but important spelling distinction in English. Both words share the same meaning: granting permission or authority. The difference lies in regional spelling conventions: UK English prefers authorise, while American English uses authorize.
Understanding this distinction is essential for professional writing, academic work, digital content creation, and SEO. Mistakes like mixing UK and US spellings, confusing authorisation with authentication, or misusing authorizer vs approver can reduce credibility and clarity. Practical examples in emails, news, social media, and formal writing help reinforce correct usage.
Including Google Trends data shows that authorize dominates in the US, while authorise is preferred in the UK, Australia, India, and Commonwealth nations. Using both variants strategically in content improves global search visibility.
Jane Austen was an English novelist famed for her sharp wit and timeless stories of love, class, and society, capturing human nature with elegance and humor.
