# empowered

/ɪmˈpaʊɝd/ (US) · /ɛmpˈaʊəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/empowered
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. confident and in control

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

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

### 2. having legal authority

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

having the official or legal right to do something.

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

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

### 3. past tense of empower

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- The new law empowered local police to handle the situation directly.
- The board of directors empowered the CEO to finalize the merger without further consultation.

## Examples

- The new training program made the staff feel empowered.
- Patients feel more empowered when they have access to their own medical records and treatment options.
- The legislation aimed to create an empowered citizenry capable of holding local officials accountable through transparent digital voting systems.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.