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noun A2 Elementary Common

licence

LEYE-suhns
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Also spelled license (US spelling)

Licence (noun) means the standard British, Canadian, Australian, and Irish spelling of license (used as a noun). Example: “You need a licence to fish in this river, and it must be shown on request.”

noun
1
The standard British, Canadian, Australian, and Irish spelling of license (used as a noun).
"You need a licence to fish in this river, and it must be shown on request."
"The shop has a licence to sell alcohol until late in the evening."
"She renewed her driving licence before the trip."

How to use licence

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe same word as "license," just spelled the British way.

UK vs US

In British English, "licence" is the noun and "license" is the verb ("I need a licence"; "they license drivers"). American English uses "license" for both.

Easily confused with
license →
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Word forms

Plural
licences
Test yourself on “licence” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

You need a _____ to fish in this river, and it must be shown on request.

Synonyms

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permit authorization warrant permission certificate credential license

Related words

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Rhymes for licence

hence fence whence thence Spence valence absence science silence defence essence ambience
See all rhymes for licence →

Frequently asked questions

What does “licence” mean?
The word “licence” means the standard British, Canadian, Australian, and Irish spelling of license (used as a noun). In plain terms, the same word as "license," just spelled the British way.
How do you pronounce “licence”?
“Licence” is pronounced LEYE-suhns (/ˈlaɪ.səns/ in IPA).
How do you use “licence” in a sentence?
Here is “licence” used in a sentence: “She renewed her driving licence before the trip.”
What part of speech is “licence”?
“Licence” is a noun.
Is “licence” a common word?
“Licence” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between licence and license?
In British, Canadian, Australian, and Irish English, licence is the noun and license is the verb, as in "a licence to drive" but "licensed to drive." In American English, license is used for both the noun and the verb.
Is it 'driving licence' or 'driving license'?
In British and related spellings, the noun is spelled with a c, giving "driving licence." American English uses "driver's license" with an s for the noun.
When should you use licence with a 'c' instead of an 's'?
Outside the United States, use licence with a c when you need the noun — the thing you hold or are granted. Reserve license with an s for the verb, meaning to grant a licence.
Is licence with a 'c' correct in American English?
In American English, the standard spelling is license for both noun and verb, so licence with a c is treated as a non-American variant. Writers following US style should use license throughout.

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