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Synonyms

green light

1 American  

noun

  1. a green-colored traffic light used to signal drivers, pedestrians, etc., that they may proceed.

  2. authorization; approval; permission.

    The railroad has been given the green light on the proposed fare increase.
green-light 2 American  

verb (used with object)

green-lighted, green-lit, green-lighting

  1. to give permission to proceed; authorize.

    The renovation project was green-lighted by the board of directors.
green light British  

noun

  1. a signal to go, esp a green traffic light

  2. permission to proceed with a project

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to permit (a project, etc) to proceed

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If workers get the green light for a couple of extra days working from home, in all likelihood it would be coming from their immediate managers instead of the company’s top leaders.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

According to Loke, Malaysia’s vessels are getting the green light thanks to Kuala Lumpur’s good diplomatic relations with Tehran.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Although Sony Pictures Television is still pitching the series to networks and streamers, industry insiders predict that, with Dern and McKay on board, a green light is on the horizon.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

By the time you're heading for your kip on Saturday night, a drastic influx of people might be inclined to give the green light to carving Hearts' name on the Scottish Premiership trophy.

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026

The reason why became readily apparent: Surrounding them in every direction was a dome of green light crackling with lightning.

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.