permissive
Americanadjective
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habitually or characteristically accepting or tolerant of something, as social behavior or linguistic usage, that others might disapprove or forbid.
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granting or denoting permission.
a permissive nod.
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left to one's choice; not mandatory.
This legislation is permissive and merely authorizes counties to levy a tax if in the county's best interest.
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Genetics. (of a cell) permitting replication of a strand of DNA that could be lethal, as a viral segment or mutant gene.
adjective
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tolerant; lenient
permissive parents
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indulgent in matters of sex
a permissive society
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granting permission
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archaic not obligatory
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of permissive
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French permissif “granting permission”; see origin at permission, -ive
Explanation
Being permissive is the opposite of being strict. Permissive parents let their kids stay up later and have more sweets. A permissive person is a little more lenient or loosey-goosey with the rules. A permissive teacher is easier on the students and lets them get away with more. A permissive coach will cut players slack during practices and games. Laws can be permissive too — about drugs, guns, and other things that could be tightly controlled. A permissive society is one with more freedom. When a situation is permissive, there's permission to do more things.
Vocabulary lists containing permissive
Measure for Measure
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You Bring the Distant Near
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The Wind in the Willows
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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.
Jordan has become an attractive location for U.S. armed forces since it is among the most permissive in the Arab world when it comes to allowing the U.S. to operate from its bases.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 20, 2026
The U.S. is a bit of an outlier in its permissive approach to youth indoor tanning.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 6, 2026
By contrast, U.S. and Israeli operations in the Gulf, though superbly executed, have taken place under more permissive conditions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 15, 2026
“The operating environment in the Strait therefore remains unchanged, with permissive passings continuing under the same conditions as before,” according to Kpler’s MarineTraffic External link data service.
From Barron's ● Apr. 9, 2026
On the other hand, the growth of school boards was rapid and continuous, notwithstanding the permissive character of the act and the strenuous efforts of the voluntaryists to keep pace with the new demands.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 10 "Echinoderma" to "Edward" by Various
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.
