License
/ˈlaɪsəns/
Definitions
3 meaningsA formal permission to do something, especially to own, use, or do something.
/ˈlaɪsəns/
A formal permission to do something.
She obtained a license to practice medicine.
💡 Simply: It's like getting a special 'okay' slip! If you want to do something that's usually restricted, like drive a car, open a business, or even hunt, you need a license. It's an official green light.
👶 For kids: A paper that says you are allowed to do something, like drive a car or have a pet.
More Examples
The government issued a license to build a new nuclear power plant.
You need a fishing license if you want to fish in the lake.
How It's Used
"You need a driver's license to operate a vehicle legally."
"The company holds a license to sell alcoholic beverages."
To grant a license to (someone or something) to do or have something.
/ˈlaɪsəns/
To grant official permission.
The state will license the company to sell insurance.
💡 Simply: To license means to give someone the official 'thumbs up' to do something. Think about it like the government giving a restaurant a license so they can sell food – it's giving them the green light!
👶 For kids: To give someone permission to do something, like letting them play a game.
More Examples
The company licensed its technology to a competitor.
The university licensed the use of their name to the student organization.
How It's Used
"The government licensed the company to operate casinos."
"They licensed their software to several other companies."
Excessive freedom; disregard of rules; absence of restraint.
/ˈlaɪsəns/
Excessive freedom of action; disregard of rules.
The artist took artistic license with the historical facts.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, people take too much 'license.' They act without thinking about the rules or the consequences. It's like when a kid gets too much freedom and starts getting into trouble.
👶 For kids: When you do whatever you want without caring about rules or what others think.
More Examples
The media's license to report can sometimes infringe on personal privacy.
The detective took a certain license in bending the rules to solve the case.
How It's Used
"The artist took artistic license in depicting the historical event."
"The paparazzi often show a disregard for personal privacy with their license to take photos."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
artistic license
The freedom to depart from the factual in order to create a work of art.
"The play took artistic license with the historical events."
From Latin *licentia* 'freedom, liberty, permission,' from *licere* 'to be permitted.'
The word's meaning has evolved from referring to general freedom or permission to specific legal permits, especially from the 17th century onwards.
Memory tip
Think of a driver's license – it gives you permission to drive.
Word Origin
"freedom, permission"