What does "empowered" mean?

1. (confident and in control) feeling confident and able to make your own choices in life. 2. (having legal authority) having the official or legal right to do something. 3. (past tense of empower) the past tense of 'empower', meaning to give someone power or authority.

How do you use "empowered"?

Often used as a predicative adjective after 'feel' or 'become'. Typically followed by a 'to' infinitive.

empowered

adj. · v.

US //ɪmˈpaʊɝd// UK //ɛmpˈaʊəd// em·pow·ered

1 confident and in control (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

feeling confident and able to make your own choices in life.

possessing the psychological confidence and social autonomy to make decisions and take action.

Example

The workshop helped the students feel empowered to start their own businesses.

Example

The mentorship programme aims to leave participants feeling empowered to negotiate for better working conditions and higher salaries.

Usage

Often used as a predicative adjective after 'feel' or 'become'.
- powerless
- helpless
2 having legal authority (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal Law

having the official or legal right to do something.

invested with the formal or legal authority to perform a specific function.

Example

The committee is empowered to make decisions about the new budget.

Example

Under the new legislation, the agency is empowered to conduct inspections without prior notice if a safety violation is suspected.

Usage

Typically followed by a 'to' infinitive.
- unauthorised

Show 1 more senseShow fewer

3 past tense of empower (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the past tense of 'empower', meaning to give someone power or authority.

the past tense and past participle form of the transitive verb 'empower'.

Example

The new law empowered local police to handle the situation directly.

Example

The board of directors empowered the CEO to finalize the merger without further consultation.
- enabled
- authorised
- restricted
- forbidden