permissive

American  

[per-mis-iv] / pərˈmɪs ɪv /

adjective

1. habitually or characteristically accepting or tolerant of something, as social behavior or linguistic usage, that others might disapprove or forbid.

   Synonyms:

   lax, lenient, indulgent

2. granting or denoting permission.

   a permissive nod.

3. 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.

4. Genetics. (of a cell) permitting replication of a strand of DNA that could be lethal, as a viral segment or mutant gene.

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permissive British  

/ pəˈmɪsɪv /

adjective

1. tolerant; lenient

   permissive parents

2. indulgent in matters of sex

   a permissive society

3. granting permission

4. archaic not obligatory

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Other Word Forms

• nonpermissive adjective
• nonpermissively adverb
• permissively adverb
• permissiveness noun
• unpermissive adjective

Etymology

Origin of permissive

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French permissif “granting permission”; permission, -ive

Example Sentences

Mr. Dhume may think that the newly minted labor codes’ permissive hiring rules only apply to private firms that have fewer than 300 workers—instead of 100 workers like before—but that’s an oversimplified analysis.

From The Wall Street Journal

International health bodies, like a British analysis of global alcohol consumption data, show that nations taking stricter stances have seen measurable public‑health gains, complicating the idea that more permissive guidance is inherently “liberating.”

From Salon

And a more permissive regulatory environment could open the door to a wave of mergers among smaller lenders, Schachter said.

From MarketWatch

The founders may have opted for more permissive language because they were relying on norms and a jealous legislative branch to constrain presidential adventurism.

From The Wall Street Journal

The scammers operate in a "highly permissive environment... with permission from junta-affiliated Burmese militia", concluded a report last month by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

From Barron's

Related Words

• indulgent
• lax
• open-minded
• tolerant