license

noun

US /ˈlaɪs(ə)ns/

Word Forms

singular	license
plural	licenses

1
countable an official document that gives someone permission to do or use something
a driver’s license
a restaurant that has no liquor license (=giving permission to sell alcohol)
She was arrested for practicing medicine without a license.
lose your license (=be no longer allowed to do something):
Anyone caught driving dangerously will automatically lose their license.
Synonyms and related words
Documents giving permission to do something
arrest warrant
authorisation
authorization
Collocates
Verbs frequently used with license
▪ get, grant, issue, lose, obtain, renew, require, revoke
2
uncountable formalofficial permission for someone to do something
Synonyms and related words
General words for permission
permission
consent
approval
1. 2a
  countable/uncountable formalfreedom to say or do what you want
  The designers were allowed a lot of creative license.
  Synonyms and related words
  Freedom and independence
  autarky
  freedom
  independence
2. 2b
  freedom in art or literature to do things that are not traditional, real, or accurate in order to create impressive effects
  poetic license
  Synonyms and related words
  Relating to the work of an artist
  aesthetic
  cherub
  commission

phrases

a license to do something

a license to print money

be (released) on license

under license

license

verb transitive often passive

UK /ˈlaɪs(ə)ns/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	license
he/she/it	licenses
present participle	licensing
past tense	licensed
past participle	licensed

1
if someone is licensed to do something, they have official permission to do it from a government, business, or other authority
Are you licensed to carry a firearm?
The shop is not licensed to sell alcoholic drinks.
Synonyms and related words
To give someone permission to do something
permit
allow
approve
2
if something is licensed, people have official permission to use it
The vaccine was licensed in 1986 by the Food and Drug Administration.
Synonyms and related words
To give someone permission to do something
permit
allow
approve

license

UK /ˈlaɪs(ə)ns/

the American spelling of licence

Synonyms and related words

To give someone permission to do something

permit

allow

approve

Synonyms and related words

Documents giving permission to do something

arrest warrant

authorisation

authorization

Synonyms and related words

Relating to the work of an artist

aesthetic

cherub

commission

Synonyms and related words

Freedom and independence

autarky

freedom

independence

View the pronunciation for license.

license

verb transitive often passive

US /ˈlaɪs(ə)ns/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	license
he/she/it	licenses
present participle	licensing
past tense	licensed
past participle	licensed

1
if someone is licensed to do something, they have official permission to do it from a government, business, or other authority
The store is not licensed to sell alcohol.
Are you licensed to carry a firearm?
Synonyms and related words
To give someone permission to do something
permit
allow
approve
2
if something is licensed, people have official permission to use it
The vaccine was licensed in 1986 by the Food and Drug Administration.
Synonyms and related words
To give someone permission to do something
permit
allow
approve

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