Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for green light. Search instead for green-lighted.
Synonyms

green light

1 American  

noun

  1. a green-colored traffic light used to signal drivers, pedestrians, etc., that they may proceed.

  2. authorization; approval; permission.

    The railroad has been given the green light on the proposed fare increase.


green-light 2 American  

verb (used with object)

green-lighted, green-lit, green-lighting
  1. to give permission to proceed; authorize.

    The renovation project was green-lighted by the board of directors.


green light British  

noun

  1. a signal to go, esp a green traffic light

  2. permission to proceed with a project

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to permit (a project, etc) to proceed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.

A road rage incident at a stoplight in Hollywood a few years ago, triggered by Lee’s delayed response to a green light, became the catalyst for the first season.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

If workers get the green light for a couple of extra days working from home, in all likelihood it would be coming from their immediate managers instead of the company’s top leaders.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

The BBC has spoken to several Ukrainian drone companies who say they have been approached by Gulf states for help, but have not yet been given the green light by the government in Kyiv.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

EU member states have already given their green light.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

They were brown, shot with a green light.

From "The Two Towers" by J. R. R. Tolkien