licence

Other forms: licences; licencing

A licence is a permit to do something. You need a licence to drive a car. If you spell it licence instead of license, then you’ll be driving on the left side of the road because the “c” ending is British.

A licence, spelled with the “c,” is a noun — like that driver’s licence in your wallet that allows you to drive all over England. In British style, the word license (with an “s”) is only a verb and licence is a noun. So if you can put a/an/or the in front of it, it’s a licence. James Bond had a Licence to Kill in the movie of the same name. Don’t ask to see it!

Definitions of licence

1. noun

   a legal document giving official permission to do something
   synonyms: license, permit

   types:

   building permit

   a document authorizing the holder to construct a building of a particular kind on a particular lot

   driver's licence, driver's license, driving licence, driving license

   a license authorizing the bearer to drive a motor vehicle

   fishing licence, fishing license, fishing permit

   a license authorizing the bearer to fish during a specified period of time

   game license, hunting licence, hunting license, hunting permit

   a license authorizing the bearer to kill a certain type of animal during a specified period of time

   learner's permit

   a document authorizing the bearer to learn to drive an automobile

   letter of mark and reprisal, letter of marque, letters of marque

   a license to a private citizen to seize property of another nation

   liquor licence, liquor license

   a license authorizing the holder to sell alcoholic beverages

   marriage licence, marriage license, wedding licence, wedding license

   a license authorizing two people to marry

   occupation licence, occupation license

   a license to pursue a particular occupation

   liberty chit, pass

   a permit to enter or leave a military installation

   on-license

   a license to sell liquor for consumption on the premises

   type of:

   instrument, legal document, legal instrument, official document

   (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right
2. noun

   the act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization
   synonyms: license, permission, permit

   types:

   clearance

   permission to proceed

   conge, congee

   formal permission to depart

   allowance

   the act of allowing

   dispensation

   an exemption from some rule or obligation

   toleration

   (religion) official recognition of the right of individuals to hold dissenting opinions

   tolerance

   the act of tolerating something

   variance

   an official dispensation to act contrary to a rule or regulation (typically a building regulation)

   type of:

   authorisation, authorization, empowerment

   the act of conferring legality or sanction or formal warrant
3. noun

   freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behavior or speech)
   synonyms: license

   types:

   poetic license

   license used by a writer or artist to heighten the effect of their work

   type of:

   liberty

   freedom of choice
4. noun

   excessive freedom; lack of due restraint
   synonyms: license

   type of:

   liberty

   freedom of choice
5. verb

   authorize officially
   synonyms: certify, license

   types:

   franchise

   grant a franchise to

   charter

   grant a charter to

   accredit, recognise, recognize

   grant credentials to

   type of:

   authorise, authorize, clear, pass

   grant authorization or clearance for