Permit

/pərˈmɪt/

verbBeginner📊CommonAction
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

To give authorization or consent to do something.

/pərˈmɪt/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To allow someone to do something.

The rules permit only one entry per person.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're asking your parents if you can go to a friend's house. If they say yes, they're permitting you! It means they're giving you permission to do something.

👶 For kids: To say it's okay to do something.

More Examples

2

Do you permit dogs in this establishment?

3

The judge permitted the witness to testify.

How It's Used

Legal

"The law permits citizens to carry firearms for self-defense."

General

"The teacher permitted the students to leave early."

2

A formal document authorizing something; a license or warrant.

/ˈpɜːrmɪt/

nounneutralBeginner
Object

An official document giving someone authorization to do something.

The city requires a building permit before any construction.

💡 Simply: Imagine you want to build a treehouse in your backyard. You might need to get a 'permit' from the city. It's a special paper that says it's okay to build it.

👶 For kids: A piece of paper that says you're allowed to do something.

More Examples

2

You need a fishing permit to fish in this lake.

3

She showed her permit to the security guard.

How It's Used

Construction

"The construction crew needed a permit to build the new bridge."

Travel

"You need a visa and a work permit to stay and work abroad."

Tip:Think of a 'permit' as a ticket that allows you to do something that otherwise might be restricted.

Idioms & expressions

permitting the use of

Giving authorization or allowing the utilization of something.

"The law is designed to prevent and punish any act permitting the use of child labor."

with permission

Allowing someone or something to do something.

"You may not proceed with this project without permission."

From Latin *permittere* meaning 'to allow, let through', from *per-* (through) + *mittere* (to send).

Historically used in legal and official contexts to grant rights or privileges.

Memory tip

Think of a 'permit' as a pass - it lets you go.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to allow, to let pass"

building permitfishing permitwork permitpermits the use of

Common misspellings

permittpermmittpermittt

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written