Definition

1. Verb:
   • To give someone the authority or power to do something: This meaning involves formally granting legal or official power to an individual or group.
   • To make someone stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights: This meaning focuses on enabling personal agency, capacity, or self-determination.

Usage and Examples

• Verb (Grant authority):

  • The new law will empower local councils to set their own tax rates.
  • The manager was empowered to make hiring decisions without seeking further approval.

• Verb (Enable/Strengthen):

  • Education empowers people to make informed choices.
  • The program aims to empower young women by teaching leadership skills.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Empowered" (Adjective): Describes the state of having been given power, authority, or confidence.
  • She felt empowered after completing the self-defense course.
• "Empowering" (Adjective): Describing something that gives power or confidence.
  • Reading about successful leaders can be an empowering experience.

Variants and Related Words

• Empowerment (Noun): The process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one's life and claiming one's rights; the act of giving official authority or legal power.
  • The movement focuses on the economic empowerment of women.

Synonyms

• Authorize: To give official permission for or approval to.
• Enable: To provide with the means or opportunity to do something.
• Delegate: To entrust (a task or responsibility) to another person.
• Strengthen: To make or become stronger.

Related Phrases and Usage Patterns

• "Empower someone to do something": The standard construction for granting authority or enabling capability.
  • The technology empowers farmers to monitor soil conditions remotely.
• "Feel empowered": A common collocation describing the psychological state of confidence and control.
  • Voting made them feel empowered and heard.

Notes on Meaning

The verb empower often carries a positive connotation of enabling positive action, self-sufficiency, or rightful authority. It is frequently used in contexts of social development, management, education, and personal growth. The first meaning (granting official power) is more formal and institutional, while the second (enabling personal strength) is broader and more personal.

Verb

1. give qualities or abilities to
2. give or delegate power or authority to
   • She authorized her assistant to sign the papers