licence
gb/lˈaɪsəns/ us/lˈaɪsəns/
A2
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
Official permission document
A paper or card from the government that says you can do something, like drive a car or run a business.
Usage pattern:
to have/hold/get a licence for [activity]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'licence' (noun) with 'license' (verb in US English). In British English, 'licence' is the noun and 'license' is the verb.
Synonyms
permit (Slightly broader; can be informal or temporary, not always formal government-issued.)
Antonyms
prohibition (Means an official ban instead of official permission.)
Collocations
driving licence
|business licence
|gun licence
|renew a licence
|apply for a licence
Themes
law
|government
|daily life
|business
Examples
- You must have a driving licence to operate a car in this country.
- The restaurant lost its licence to serve alcohol after repeated violations.
- She applied for a licence to open her new shop.
- He was fined for fishing without a licence.
Learner examples
- I have a driving licence.
- You need a licence to sell food.
- She got her licence last year.
- He is driving without a licence.
Noun
B1
relation
2
Official permission
When the government or another authority says you are allowed to do something.
Usage pattern:
to have/receive/obtain a licence to [verb]
Synonyms
authorization (More formal and often used in written contexts.)
Antonyms
ban (An official order that prevents the activity.)
Collocations
have a licence to operate
|gain a licence
|without a licence
Themes
law
|government
|business
Examples
- The company holds a licence to broadcast on that frequency.
- You cannot sell alcohol without a licence.
- They were granted a licence to import medical equipment.
Learner examples
- I have a licence to drive.
- We need a licence to sell drinks.
- They got a licence to build houses.
Noun
formal
B2
state
3
Freedom without strict rules
Freedom to do what you want, even if it may not be right or controlled.
Usage pattern:
to give/take licence to [verb]
Common mistake:
Learners may misinterpret 'artistic licence' as an actual physical document rather than creative freedom.
Synonyms
liberty (General freedom; not necessarily implying excess.)
Antonyms
restraint (Control or limitation over actions.)
Collocations
artistic licence
|poetic licence
|take the licence to
Themes
behavior
|society
|core_vocabulary
|law
Examples
- The director took artistic licence in adapting the novel.
- Some journalists abuse their licence by publishing unverified stories.
- Freedom should not be confused with licence.
Learner examples
- The artist used his licence to change the story.
- She took licence to write new parts.
- Licence is not the same as freedom.
Grammar
Dictionary form
licence
IPA
GB/lˈaɪsəns/
US/lˈaɪsəns/
Syllables & stress
li - cence (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (li)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: licence
- Variant Spelling: license
- Plural: licence, licences
Word family
Forms
license
noun A2
licences
noun
Core family
licensed
adjective
Related words
licensing
noun
licensee
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unlicensed
adjective
Advanced or less common
licensor
noun
Highlights
- Spelling Variant: license Noun
Expressions
artistic licence
1/ɑɹtˈɪstɪk lˈaɪsəns/
fixed phrase
Creative freedom to alter facts
When an artist changes details or facts in their work for creative reasons.
Examples
- The filmmaker used artistic licence to make the story more exciting.
- Writers often take artistic licence when describing historical events.
poetic licence
1/poʊˈɛtɪk lˈaɪsəns/
fixed phrase
Freedom to break language rules
When writers change grammar or facts in poetry or writing to make it sound better or more powerful.
Examples
- The poet used poetic licence to create unusual images.
- Poetic licence allows authors to bend the truth for style.