permissible
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- nonpermissibility noun
- nonpermissible adjective
- nonpermissibly adverb
- permissibility noun
- permissibleness noun
- permissibly adverb
- unpermissible adjective
- unpermissibly adverb
Etymology
Origin of permissible
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word permissibilis. See permission, -ible
Explanation
If something is permissible, then it is allowed. If it's not permissible then you probably shouldn't be doing it. If someone asked you, "Is it permissible for me to have a cupcake?" they're asking very formally for your permission to dig in. Usually the word permissible has to do with laws, rules, and what's generally acceptable. It's not permissible to take your pants off in public, for example. Wearing a hat inside is permissible according to the law, but it's not permissible according to church customs or your grandma's rules.
Vocabulary lists containing permissible
"Tinker v. Des Moines": Excerpts from Justice Fortas's Opinion
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Suffixes: -able, -ible
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The Most Beautiful Roof in the World
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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.
Yet it remained permissible nationwide, making California’s landmark legislation all the more contentious.
From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026
In the UK, parties must check donations over £500 are from permissible sources, which include people listed on the UK electoral register.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
In August 2025, however, the firm stepped way over the line of what is — or should be — permissible as an AI-generated service.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026
The medical groups also said Kennedy’s appointments weren’t permissible under a federal law that requires the advisory panel to be fairly balanced and not inappropriately influenced.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026
Even when I feared that using the recommendation would make it seem as though what he did was permissible or that he could pay for it by helping me get a job.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
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.
