adj
Common
licensed
LEYE-suhnst
Licensed (adj) means Officially authorized by a licence to do something. Example: “You must be a licensed driver before you can hire a van.”
adj
1
Officially authorized by a licence to do something.
"You must be a licensed driver before you can hire a van."
"Only licensed pilots are allowed to fly the small plane."
"Even licensed fishing has a major effect on the fish population in the river."
"He's a licensed electrician with ten years of experience."
2
Permitted by licence to sell alcohol.
"The cafe isn't licensed, so please bring your own drinks."
"They applied to become a licensed venue before opening the village bar."
"The opening hours of licensed premises are restricted to prevent all-night drinking."
"The restaurant is fully licensed, so you can order wine with dinner."
How to use licensed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOfficially permitted or certified — either to do a job, or (of a venue) to sell alcohol.
Common pairings
licensed premises
licensed professional
fully licensed
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Synonyms
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Rhymes for licensed
See all rhymes for licensed →Frequently asked questions
What does “licensed” mean?
The word “licensed” means officially authorized by a licence to do something. In plain terms, officially permitted or certified — either to do a job, or (of a venue) to sell alcohol.
How do you pronounce “licensed”?
“Licensed” is pronounced LEYE-suhnst (/ˈlaɪsənst/ in IPA).
How do you use “licensed” in a sentence?
Here is “licensed” used in a sentence: “He's a licensed electrician with ten years of experience.”
What is the opposite of “licensed”?
The opposite of “licensed” — its antonyms — is unlicensed.
What part of speech is “licensed”?
“Licensed” is an adjective.
Is “licensed” a common word?
“Licensed” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “licensed” have?
“Licensed” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: officially authorized by a licence to do something.
What is the difference between licensed and certified?
Licensed means officially authorized by a licence granted by a governing authority to carry out a particular activity, such as practising a profession or selling alcohol. Certified means having met a set standard and received documentation to prove it, often from a professional body, but this does not always grant the same legal permission to operate that a licence does.
When should you use licensed instead of registered?
Use licensed when someone has been granted official permission or authority to perform a regulated activity, such as a licensed electrician or licensed premises. Registered means only that a name or detail has been recorded on an official list, which does not by itself grant permission to operate.
Is it spelled licensed or licenced?
The standard adjective is spelled licensed with an s in both American and British English. In British usage the noun is licence and the verb is license, but the past-participle adjective form remains licensed.
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