permit
gb/pˈɚmɪt/ us/pˈɚmɪt/
A2
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
allow to do something
To say that someone can do something or that something can happen.
Usage pattern:
to permit [someone] to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'permit' with 'allow'. 'Permit' is more formal and often used in written or official contexts.
Synonyms
allow (More common in everyday speech; 'permit' is slightly more formal.)
|
authorize (Often used in official or legal contexts.)
Antonyms
forbid (Means to refuse permission for something.)
|
prohibit (Stronger, more formal way of saying not to allow.)
Collocations
permit entry
|permit access
|permit use
|permit parking
Themes
rules
|authority
|daily life
|law
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The school does not permit students to leave during lunch.
- Photography is not permitted inside the museum.
- The new law will permit more people to work from home.
Learner examples
- My parents do not permit me to stay out late.
- This park permits dogs.
- The teacher permits us to use the dictionary.
Noun
A2
entity
2
official permission document
A paper or card that says you can do something.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'permit' (noun) with 'permission' (uncountable noun). 'Permit' is the document; 'permission' is the approval.
Synonyms
license ('License' is more common in some contexts, especially driving or business; 'permit' is often for specific activities.)
Antonyms
ban (A ban is an official statement that something is not allowed.)
Collocations
work permit
|building permit
|parking permit
|hunting permit
Themes
law
|travel
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- You need a work permit to take a job in that country.
- The city requires a building permit for any major renovations.
- He showed the ranger his hunting permit.
Learner examples
- I have a parking permit for this area.
- You need a fishing permit here.
- She got a work permit for the summer.
Grammar
Dictionary form
permit
IPA
GB/pˈɚmɪt/
US/pˈɚmɪt/
Syllables & stress
per - mit (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (per)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: permit
- Plural: permits
Verb
- Base: permit
- 3rd Person Singular: permits
- Present Participle: permitting
- Past: permitted
Word family
Forms
permits
noun
permitting
verb
permitted
verb
Core family
permission
noun A2
Related words
permissible
adjective C1
permissive
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
impermissible
adjective
Advanced or less common
permissiveness
noun
permissibility
noun
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: permitting Verb
- Irregular past: permitted Verb
Expressions
building permit
1/bˈɪldɪŋ pˈɚmɪt/
fixed phrase
document allowing construction work
An official paper that says you can build or change a building.
Examples
- A building permit is required for any structural changes.
- They got a building permit to add a new room.
building permit
1/bˈɪldɪŋ pˈɚmɪt/
fixed phrase
legal
official permission to build
official permission to build or change a building.
Examples
- You need a building permit before adding a new room.
- The city refused to issue a building permit for the project.
- They applied for a building permit last month.
parking permit
1/pˈɑɹkɪŋ pˈɚmɪt/
fixed phrase
document allowing parking privileges
An official card or paper that lets you park in certain places.
Examples
- Only vehicles with a parking permit may use this lot.
- I renewed my parking permit last week.
permit someone to do something
1/pɚmˈɪt sˈʌmwˌʌn tə dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
give someone permission to act
To say it is okay for someone to do something.
Examples
- The rules permit employees to work from home twice a week.
- My visa permits me to stay here for six months.
work permit
1/wˈɚk pˈɚmɪt/
fixed phrase
document allowing employment abroad
An official paper that says you can work in a country.
Examples
- She applied for a work permit before moving to Canada.
- Without a work permit, you cannot get a job here.