permission
puh-MIHSH-uhn
Permission (noun) means Formal or informal consent for something to happen. Example: “You need permission from your manager to work from home.”
noun
1
Formal or informal consent for something to happen.
"You need permission from your manager to work from home."
"The children asked permission before borrowing their neighbour's ladder."
"The council gave permission for the market to be held in the square."
"Sire, do I have your permission to execute this traitor?"
2
A setting that controls who can access or change a file or system.
"She changed the file permissions so only admins could edit it."
"You don't have permission to open this folder, so ask the administrator."
"The app asked for permission to read the files stored on my phone."
How to use permission
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOfficial or personal approval to do something, or the access rules on a computer file.
Common pairings
ask permission
grant permission
file permissions
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Word forms
- Plural
- permissions
- Third person singular
- permissions
- Past tense
- permissioned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
You need _____ from your manager to work from home.
Etymology
From Latin permissio, from permittere ("to allow").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for permission
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for permission →
Frequently asked questions
What does “permission” mean?
The word “permission” means formal or informal consent for something to happen. In plain terms, official or personal approval to do something, or the access rules on a computer file.
How do you pronounce “permission”?
“Permission” is pronounced puh-MIHSH-uhn (/pəɹˈmɪʃ.ən/ in IPA).
How do you use “permission” in a sentence?
Here is “permission” used in a sentence: “You need permission from your manager to work from home.”
What is another word for “permission”?
Words with a similar meaning to “permission” include allowance, authority, authorization, clearance, consent and leave.
What is the opposite of “permission”?
The opposite of “permission” — its antonyms — are prohibition and sanction.
What part of speech is “permission”?
“Permission” is a noun.
Where does the word “permission” come from?
The word “permission” comes from Latin. From Latin permissio, from permittere ("to allow").
Is “permission” a common word?
“Permission” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between permission and consent?
Permission is formal or informal approval granted by someone with the authority to allow something — a parent, a boss, a landlord. Consent is personal agreement to something that affects you, often carrying legal weight in areas like medicine or contracts. You ask for permission; you give consent.
What is the difference between permission and a permit?
Permission is the abstract act of allowing something — spoken or written approval. A permit is a physical or official document that records that permission, such as a parking permit or building permit. In short, a permit is formal, documented permission issued by an authority, usually for regulated activities.
What are the types of permission?
Permission can be express or implied. Express permission is stated directly, either verbally or in writing. Implied permission is understood from circumstances or behavior, without being spoken. It can also be described as formal, such as an official authorization, or informal, like a friend saying it's fine to borrow something.
What is an example of permission?
Asking a teacher, 'May I leave early?' and being told yes is permission. So is a landlord agreeing you can keep a pet, or a written note allowing a child to go on a school trip. Each is consent for something to happen, granted by someone with the authority to allow it.
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