License — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈlī-sᵊn(t)s/ li·cense

Meaning & Definition of License

License (noun)

  1. permission to act
  2. freedom of action
  3. a permission granted by competent authority to engage in a business or occupation or in an activity otherwise unlawful

License (verb)

  1. to issue a license to
  2. to permit or authorize especially by formal license
  3. to give permission or consent to, allow

License (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the approval by someone in authority for the doing of something

    "the company is seeking license to operate several more power plants in the state"

    similar: allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light, leave, permission, sanction, sufferance, warrant
    related: imprimatur, seal, signature, stamp, accreditation, certification, liberty, pass, concession, patent, permit, tolerance, toleration, acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent, OK, accord, grant
    opposite: interdiction, prohibition, proscription
    near: denial, refusal, rejection, revocation, taboo, injunction, veto, deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression, ban, embargo, exclusion

  2. the granting of power to perform various acts or duties

    "a restaurant owner has to get a license to serve food and drink"

    similar: accreditation, authorization, commission, delegation, empowerment, mandate
    related: commendation, consignment, entrustment, facilitation, fostering, promotion, commanding, directing, ordering

  3. the right to act or move freely

    "military commanders on the ground must be granted considerable license, as wars cannot be micromanaged by people back in Washington"

    similar: authorization, free hand, freedom, latitude, run
    related: authority, clutch, command, control, dominion, grip, hold, mandate, mastery, power, sway, range, room, space, blank check, carte blanche

License (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give official or legal power to

    "a state statute licenses county sheriffs to choose their own deputies"

    similar: accredit, authorize, certify, charter (British), commission, empower, enable, invest, qualify, vest, warrant
    related: approve, clear, credential, endorse, OK, sanction, affirm, confirm, validate, inaugurate, induct, initiate, install, instate, swear in, allow, let, permit, enfranchise, entitle, privilege
    opposite: disqualify
    near: ban, bar, block, constrain, deny, disallow, disbar, discourage, disenfranchise, disfranchise, exclude, hinder, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, prevent, shut out, stop, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prohibit, proscribe, veto

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for License

The most common words with a similar meaning to License:

British: charter
allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light, leave, permission, sanction, sufferance, warrant, accreditation, commission, delegation, empowerment, mandate, free hand, freedom, latitude, run, accredit, authorize, certify, empower, enable, invest, qualify, vest

Antonyms & Opposite Words for License

Words with the opposite meaning of License:

interdiction, prohibition, proscription, disqualify

Related Words for License

imprimatur, seal, signature, stamp, certification, liberty, pass, concession, patent, permit, tolerance, toleration, acceptance, acquiescence, agreement, assent, OK, accord, grant, commendation, consignment, entrustment, facilitation, fostering, promotion, commanding, directing, ordering, authority, clutch

Near Antonyms of License

denial, refusal, rejection, revocation, taboo, injunction, veto, deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression, ban, embargo, exclusion, bar, block, constrain, deny, disallow, disbar, discourage, disenfranchise, disfranchise, exclude, hinder, hold back, impede, inhibit, obstruct, prevent

Word Forms of License

Inflections: licensed, licenced, licensing, licencing

Derived words: licensable (adjective), licensor (noun)

Origin & Etymology of License

Middle English, from Anglo-French licence, from Latin licentia, from licent-, licens, present participle of licēre to be permitted

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for License

Words & Phrases Containing License

license plate, license number, driver's license, poetic license, a license to print money, marriage license, under license

Frequently Asked Questions about License

What does "License" mean?

"License" means permission to act. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: permission to act. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "License"?

Other words for "License" include allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light and leave. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "License" you intend.

What are different ways to say "License"?

There are 91 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "License". Common alternatives include allowance, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, granting, green light, leave, permission and sanction.

What is the opposite of "License"?

Antonyms of "License" include interdiction, prohibition, proscription and disqualify. Near antonyms include denial, refusal, rejection and revocation.

How do you use "License" in a sentence?

Examples of "License" in a sentence: "the company is seeking license to operate several more power plants in the state"; "a restaurant owner has to get a license to serve food and drink"; "military commanders on the ground must be granted considerable license, as wars cannot be micromanaged by people back in Washington".

Is "License" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"License" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "License" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B1-level word, "License" is typical of Cambridge B1 Preliminary (PET), IELTS band 4.0–5.0, TOEFL iBT 42–71, PTE Academic 43–58, TOEIC Listening & Reading 550+. It is on the Academic Word List, so it appears often in IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and university texts.

How do you pronounce "License"?

"License" is pronounced /ˈlī-sᵊn(t)s/ and divided into syllables as li·cense.