licence
Americannoun
noun
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a certificate, tag, document, etc, giving official permission to do something
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formal permission or exemption
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liberty of action or thought; freedom
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intentional disregard of or deviation from conventional rules to achieve a certain effect
poetic licence
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excessive freedom
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licentiousness
Etymology
Origin of licence
C14: via Old French and Medieval Latin licentia permission, from Latin: freedom, from licet it is allowed
Explanation
A licence is a permit to do something. You need a licence to drive a car. If you spell it licence instead of license, then you’ll be driving on the left side of the road because the “c” ending is British. A licence, spelled with the “c,” is a noun — like that driver’s licence in your wallet that allows you to drive all over England. In British style, the word license (with an “s”) is only a verb and licence is a noun. So if you can put a/an/or the in front of it, it’s a licence. James Bond had a Licence to Kill in the movie of the same name. Don’t ask to see it!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"After all, people pay for their TV Licence and you want to give them the best you possibly can."
From BBC • May 19, 2026
However, Shelvey is wary of being a "hindrance" and has stopped short of reaching out to the Newcastle head coach just yet as he studies for his Uefa A Licence coaching qualification.
From BBC • Oct. 16, 2025
Earlier this summer, Johal also became one of the youngest coaches in the history of English football to complete his Uefa Pro Licence qualification.
From BBC • Aug. 19, 2025
Having completed their B and A Licences, the class of 2025 are entering the closing stages of their Pro Licence and ready to take the next step on their burgeoning coaching journeys.
From BBC • Jun. 23, 2025
Yet, I have given this Licence to Travel, but I know not whither, nor it.
From A Letter Book Selected with an Introduction on the History and Art of Letter-Writing by Saintsbury, George
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
