licence
Plurallicences
US spellinglicense
- 1Legal permission to do, own or use something, or the document or agreement that grants it and sets out its terms.
The pub could lose its licence if it keeps serving alcohol after closing time.
Anyone who watches live television in the UK needs a TV licence.
UsageThe noun is licence, the verb license: get a licence, but be licensed to sell alcohol.
Similarpermit, permission, authorisation
- 2Freedom to depart on purpose from the usual rules or conventions, particularly in conduct or speech.
The director used a good deal of artistic licence, moving the battle to a different year.
As the host, she had licence to tease the guests in a way nobody else could.
UsageOften artistic or poetic licence; a writer takes licence with the facts.
- 3Freedom taken to excess, with no proper check on how one behaves.
Critics complained that the festival had slipped from celebration into drunken licence.
The young king's court became notorious for its licence and extravagance.
Similardebauchery, dissipation, excess, abandon
Oppositerestraint, discipline, decorum
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of licence apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
From Middle English licence (also spelled licens, lisence and in other ways), from Old French licence, from Latin licentia (“licence”), from licens, the present participle of licere (“to be allowed, be allowable”).
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 7 facts
- The word descends from Middle English licence, with alternative spellings including licens and lisence. en.wiktionary.org
- The Middle English word comes from Old French licence. en.wiktionary.org
- Old French licence comes from Latin licentia. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin licentia means licence. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin licentia derives from licens. en.wiktionary.org
- Licens is the present participle of licere. en.wiktionary.org
- Licere means to be allowed or allowable. en.wiktionary.org