Permission

/pərˈmɪʃən/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
1 meaning2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

1

The act of allowing someone to do something.

/pərˈmɪʃən/

nounneutralBeginner
Action

Authorization to do something.

You need your parents' permission to go on the school trip.

💡 Simply: It's like getting a 'yes' from someone to do something. Like, 'Can I have permission to go play outside?' or 'I got permission from my boss to take a day off!'

👶 For kids: When someone says it's okay for you to do something.

More Examples

2

The teacher granted permission to leave the classroom.

3

He sought permission to speak at the meeting.

How It's Used

Legal

"The company needs permission from the local authorities to build the new facility."

Social

"I asked for permission before borrowing her book."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Idioms & expressions

give permission

To allow or authorize someone to do something.

"The manager gave permission for the employees to take the day off."

ask for permission

To request authorization to do something.

"Before starting, she asked for permission to record the meeting."

From Middle English permissioun, from Old French permission, from Latin permissio (“a letting through, a permission”), from permitto (“to let go through, permit”).

The word 'permission' has been used since the 14th century in English, initially as a legal or formal term.

Memory tip

Think of a permit - it grants permission!

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to allow, to let through"

grant permissionask for permissiongive permissionseek permissionobtain permission

Common misspellings

permisionpermitionpermmision

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written