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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.

Kushner would, however, be permitted to continue his diplomatic duties and have "exchanges" with officials, it added in a statement.

From Barron's

Much of it hinges on something decidedly low tech: the ability to build data centers as fast as humanly possible—and all the dealmaking, zoning and permitting that it entails.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some of the coalition’s members live in RVs that could be seized and dismantled if the city is permitted to implement the law, the group said in its complaint.

From Los Angeles Times

Later in the Games, Austria's Daniel Tschofenig was disqualified from the men's large hill individual event for wearing oversized boots - that were just four millimetres larger than the rules permitted.

From BBC

Until now, the festival had taken place under permitted development rights, which allow certain temporary events without formal planning permission.

From BBC