otorgar
to grant
verb oh-tor-GAHR Less Common
Origin: from Catalan/Old Spanish atorgar, ultimately from Latin auctorizare
Also means
to award
Usage Note
Otorgar is formal and typically used for official acts: granting rights, awarding prizes, or signing a notarial deed (otorgar un poder notarial). It is stronger and more ceremonial than dar or conceder. In legal Spanish otorgar testamento (to make a will) is fixed phrasing. Colloquial registers almost always prefer dar or conceder instead.
Examples
"El jurado otorgó el primer premio al director."
Natural Translation
The jury awarded the first prize to the director.
Related Words
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