permit

11 synonyms and 1 antonym for permit, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Verb — To allow something to happen or to give someone authorization to do it.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

allow license pass let permission

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

authorize sanction authorization tolerate licence

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

countenance

Synonyms by Meaning

1. verb

To allow something to happen or to give someone authorization to do it.

“Smoking is not permitted inside the building.”

authorize allow sanction license pass authorization tolerate let countenance

Opposites

forbid

2. noun

An official document granting permission to do something.

“You need a permit to park in this zone.”

licence license permission

How to use permit

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

work permit building permit permit access

When used as a verb the stress falls on the second syllable (per-MIT); as a noun it falls on the first (PER-mit).

Etymology

From Latin permittere ("to let go through"), from per- ("through") + mittere ("to send").

Full origin of permit →

Frequently asked questions

What does “permit” mean?

The word “permit” means to allow something to happen or to give someone authorization to do it. In plain terms, as a verb: to allow. As a noun: the official paper that grants formal permission.

How do you pronounce “permit”?

“Permit” is pronounced puh-MIHT (/pɚˈmɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “permit” in a sentence?

Here is “permit” used in a sentence: “Smoking is not permitted inside the building.”

What part of speech is “permit”?

Depending on how it is used, “permit” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “permit” come from?

The word “permit” comes from Latin. From Latin permittere ("to let go through"), from per- ("through") + mittere ("to send").

Is “permit” a common word?

“Permit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “permit” have?

“Permit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to allow something to happen or to give someone authorization to do it.

What is the difference between permit and allow?

Both mean to let something happen, but permit is slightly more formal and often implies official or authorised approval, while allow is more general and everyday. Rules and authorities permit; people allow.

What is the difference between a permit and a license?

Both are official documents granting permission, but a permit usually authorises a specific, often temporary activity, while a license typically grants a broader or longer-term right, such as to drive or practise a profession.

What is the difference between a permit and permission?

A permit is a physical or official document that grants permission, while permission is the abstract act or state of being allowed to do something. You can have permission without holding a permit.

People also searched

let pass allow permission license licence tolerate authorization forbid sanction authorize countenance

Nearby words

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