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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 permit1

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.

The North last year permitted Russian tourists to return for the first time since the pandemic and Western tour operators briefly returned in February this year.

From Barron's

“Suspending legitimate permits approved after years of rigorous consultation with expert federal agencies — including the Department of War — does nothing to advance our country’s long-term economic or energy security,” Bright said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

His first wave of executive orders included a pause for federal permits and leasing for wind projects on land and at sea, which plunged the industry into months of uncertainty.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Ashours are trying to have Siwar evacuated once more - a process that has begun with the issuing of a permit by Palestinian health officials.

From BBC

If you get an offer for a full-time job, you can apply for a B-1 work visa/permit.

From MarketWatch