What does reauthorise mean?
Reauthorise is a formal British verb meaning to give permission again or to authorize anew. It is particularly associated with publishing, research, law, and institutional work, where a person or organisation must renew its authority to make changes, continue a project, or carry out an activity that was previously approved. The verb often takes a person as its object, as in “reauthorise the editor,” but it can also be followed by an activity or project. Its connotation is administrative and procedural: it suggests a fresh or renewed grant of permission rather than the original authorisation. The word can imply that earlier permission has lapsed, been suspended, or needs confirmation, although it does not necessarily imply that it was formally withdrawn. In general American English, the equivalent spelling is reauthorize.
verbTo give official permission again, especially to a person to alter or rewrite a text, image, or other work; to authorize anew.
- To grant renewed or renewed-in-effect permission, especially for a person to revise or continue working on a text, image, or other creative work.
"The committee reauthorised the editor to update the manuscript for publication."
"After reviewing the revisions, the publisher reauthorised the writer to complete the final chapter."
"The agency reauthorised the research team to conduct additional fieldwork."
It is the bureaucratic equivalent of a second green light: permission renewed, work resumed, revisions allowed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does reauthorise come from?
The word is formed in English by adding the prefix re-, meaning “again,” to authorise. Authorise derives from author, a word that ultimately comes from Latin auctor, meaning “originator” or “maker,” combined with the suffix -ise. The prefixed form developed as a specialised way of expressing a renewed grant of authority.
Related word forms
How reauthorise is actually used
This is a formal word associated with publishing, legal, institutional, and administrative contexts. It is especially common in British English; US English generally spells it reauthorize. Using it for routine permission may sound bureaucratic.
Easily confused with reauthorise
Authorise means to give permission for the first time or in a particular case, whereas reauthorise means to grant that permission again, often after it has lapsed or been withdrawn.