green light
noun
: authority or permission to proceed
green-light
ˈgrēn-ˌlīt 
transitive verb 
Synonyms
- allowance
- authorization
- clearance
- concurrence
- consent
- granting
- leave
- license
- licence
- permission
- sanction
- sufferance
- warrant
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
we were given the green light to use the town commons for our fund-raiser
Recent Examples on the Web Buckingham Palace was bathed in green light during the recent United Nations climate summit to symbolize the monarchy’s concern about climate change, an issue King Charles has championed since the 1960s. 
Max Colchester, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Witnesses told Mazanett that there was a person on the ground in front of his SUV, and Mazanett allegedly backed up several feet, waited for a green light, and then drove over Ruffen’s body, according to prosecutors. Jeremy C. Fox, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2022 Other future potential launch states include Maryland, although the timeline of a potential green light is not currently clear. Xl Media, cleveland, 13 Aug. 2022 Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, running back Gus Edwards, outside linebacker Tyus Bowser and cornerback Marcus Peters are all waiting for the green light. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 11 Aug. 2022 The preliminary investigation shows a car traveling eastbound went through a red light and hit a southbound car that had a green light, police said. The Courier-Journal, 21 July 2022 The motorcyclist entered the intersection on a green light and collided into the left side of the patrol car, Crescenzi said. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2022 Reports indicate the victim was first struck by a white Dodge Charger, which was passing the intersection and traveling on a green light south on Harbor Boulevard. Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2022 And the White House is ready for the FDA's green light. Rob Picheta And Hafsa Khalil, CNN, 15 June 2022 See More
Max Colchester, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 Witnesses told Mazanett that there was a person on the ground in front of his SUV, and Mazanett allegedly backed up several feet, waited for a green light, and then drove over Ruffen’s body, according to prosecutors. Jeremy C. Fox, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Sep. 2022 Other future potential launch states include Maryland, although the timeline of a potential green light is not currently clear. Xl Media, cleveland, 13 Aug. 2022 Left tackle Ronnie Stanley, running back Gus Edwards, outside linebacker Tyus Bowser and cornerback Marcus Peters are all waiting for the green light. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 11 Aug. 2022 The preliminary investigation shows a car traveling eastbound went through a red light and hit a southbound car that had a green light, police said. The Courier-Journal, 21 July 2022 The motorcyclist entered the intersection on a green light and collided into the left side of the patrol car, Crescenzi said. Joe Mario Pedersen, Orlando Sentinel, 30 June 2022 Reports indicate the victim was first struck by a white Dodge Charger, which was passing the intersection and traveling on a green light south on Harbor Boulevard. Itzel Luna, Los Angeles Times, 27 June 2022 And the White House is ready for the FDA's green light. Rob Picheta And Hafsa Khalil, CNN, 15 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
from the green traffic light which signals permission to proceed
First Known Use
1937, in the meaning defined above
green lights 1 of 2
noun
as in permissions
the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something we were given the green light to use the town commons for our fund-raiser Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- permissions
- authorizations
- consents
- sanctions
- allowances
- sufferances
- signatures
- warrants
- clearances
- leaves
- licenses
- permits
- concurrences
- accreditations
- licences
- seals
- acquiescences
- certifications
- stamps
- tolerances
- grants
- liberties
- agreements
- patents
- passes
- concessions
- acceptances
- imprimaturs
- assents
- tolerations
- okays
- accords
- OKs
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- prohibitions
- proscriptions
- denials
- refusals
- injunctions
- revocations
- rejections
- taboos
- interdictions
- vetoes
- tabus
- discouragements
- exclusions
- repressions
- suppressions
- deterrences
- bans
- embargoes
green-lights
2 of 2verb
as in permits
to give permission for or to approve of as soon as the project is green-lighted, we'll schedule a planning meeting Synonyms & Similar Words
- permits
- allows
- has
- suffers
- tolerates
- licenses
- stands for
- admits
- okays
- authorizes
- acquiesces
- commissions
- grants
- OKs
- concedes
- sanctions
- licences
- condones
- warrants
- vouchsafes
- consents (to)
- accedes (to)
- supports
- accords
- agrees (to)
- endures
- assents (to)
- brooks
- countenances
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- prohibits
- forbids
- bans
- vetoes
- enjoins
- proscribes
- rejects
- denies
- refuses
- obstructs
- hinders
- impedes
- disapproves
- revokes
- disallows
- withholds
- suppresses
- deplores
- dislikes
- censures
- curbs
- restrains
- checks
- keeps
- interdicts
- represses
- frowns (at or on)
- disfavors
- discountenances
- grudges