poetic license

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See synonyms for poetic license on Thesaurus.com

noun

license or liberty taken by a poet, prose writer, or other artist in deviating from rule, conventional form, logic, or fact, in order to produce a desired effect.

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Origin of poetic license

First recorded in 1780–90

Words nearby poetic license

poetic, poeticism, poeticize, poetic justice, poetic licence, poetic license, poetics, poetize, poet laureate, poetry, Poets are born, not made

How to use poetic license in a sentence

You can still get your license at the court—just not actually get married there.
The Back Alley, Low Blow-Ridden Fight to Stop Gay Marriage in Florida Is Finally Over|Jay Michaelson|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
His mature wit and poetic style drew in those around him and we connected instantly.
Cuban Hip-Hop Was Born in Alamar|Daniel Levin|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The young man had the presence of mind to tail Gaylard Williams out of the park and jot down his license plate.
Exposed: The Gay-Bashing Pastor’s Same-Sex Assault|M.L. Nestel|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Adding a checkbox to a driver's license and another form would make this easy to implement.
A Navy Vet’s Case for Gun Control|Shawn VanDiver|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The next step is requiring 40 hours of training prior to license approval.
A Navy Vet’s Case for Gun Control|Shawn VanDiver|November 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is full of poetic feeling, and the flesh tints are unusually natural.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D.|Clara Erskine Clement
And then what could be more deep and poetic than Liszt's transcriptions of Schubert's and Wagner's songs?
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
The special license had arrived; the young clergyman who was to perform the service was located at Hartledon.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
There are at present more than sixteen thousand Chinese in this city of Manila, who have received license to stay in the country.
The Philippine Islands, 1493-1898, Volume XX, 1621-1624|Various
It has been years since they have had a license at our tavern, so there was a solitary man in the bar-room when I entered.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd

Other Idioms and Phrases with poetic license

poetic license

Also, artistic license. The liberty taken by a writer or artist in deviating from conventional form or fact to achieve an effect. For example, I've never seen grass or a tree of that color; but that's artistic license. [Late 1700s]