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Synonyms

permit

1 American  
[per-mit, pur-mit, per-mit] / pərˈmɪt, ˈpɜr mɪt, pərˈmɪt /

verb (used with object)

permitted, permitting

  1. to allow to do something.

    Permit me to explain.
    Antonyms:
    refuse, reject

  2. to allow to be done or occur.

    The law does not permit the sale of such drugs.

  3. to tolerate; agree to.

    a law permitting Roman Catholicism in England.

  4. to afford opportunity for, or admit of.

    vents to permit the escape of gases.

verb (used without object)

permitted, permitting

  1. to grant permission; allow liberty to do something.

  2. to afford opportunity or possibility.

    Write when time permits.

  3. to allow or admit (usually followed byof ).

    statements that permit of no denial.

noun

  1. an authoritative or official certificate of permission; license.

    a fishing permit.
    Synonyms:
    franchise

  2. a written order granting special permission to do something.

  3. permission.

permit 2 American  
[pur-mit] / ˈpɜr mɪt /

noun

  1. a pompano, Trachinotus falcatus, of the waters off the West Indies.

permit British  

verb

  1. (tr) to grant permission to do something

    you are permitted to smoke

  2. (tr) to consent to or tolerate

    she will not permit him to come

  3. to allow the possibility (of)

    the passage permits of two interpretations

    his work permits him to relax nowadays
"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

noun

  1. an official certificate or document granting authorization; licence

  2. permission, esp written permission

"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

Usage

What are other ways to say permit?

To permit is to allow someone to do something. How is permit different from allow and let? Learn more on Thesaurus.com. 

Other Word Forms

  • permittee noun
  • permitter noun
  • unpermitting adjective

Etymology

Origin of permit1

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Latin permittere “to let go through, give leave,” equivalent to per- per- + mittere “to let or make (someone) go”; admit, commit, etc.

Origin of permit2

An Americanism dating back to 1880–85; apparently by folk etymology from Spanish palometa palometa

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.

Friedman, in his latest order, said that the Defense Department must permit the Times' journalists and "all regulated parties" access to the Pentagon.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

Planning new projects in ways that avoid harm to wildlife and include proactive conservation plans can avoid lawsuits, permit delays, reputational risks and increased costs.

From Salon • Apr. 7, 2026

“We cannot permit a resource so vital to be dominated by one so ruthless. And we won’t.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Quiggin was eventually granted a temporary emergency entry permit, valid only for the dates of his travel, with the requirement to apply for a full visa in the future.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

As soon as I’d turned fifteen, I’d signed up for driver’s ed to get my learner’s permit.

From "Courage to Soar" by Simone Biles

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.