licence

American  

[lahy-suhns] / ˈlaɪ səns /

noun

1. Chiefly British. a variant of license.

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licence British  

/ ˈlaɪsəns /

noun

1. a certificate, tag, document, etc, giving official permission to do something

2. formal permission or exemption

3. liberty of action or thought; freedom

4. intentional disregard of or deviation from conventional rules to achieve a certain effect

   poetic licence

5. excessive freedom

6. licentiousness

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Etymology

Origin of licence

C14: via Old French and Medieval Latin licentia permission, from Latin: freedom, from licet it is allowed

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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

See Examples For:

licence

He argues that an educational licence could allow him to support public understanding of badgers, wildlife rescue and caring for a protected species.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2026

But the loss of its licence and other restrictions dealt a major blow.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

The authorities had already revoked the newspaper's licence and blocked access to its website.

From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026

The company said both third-quarter EPS figures were hurt by 58 cents a share due to charges and licence agreements related to ongoing collaborations.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026

From these two opposed appetites, there arises in cities one of three effects: a principality, liberty, or licence.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli

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