licence

American  

[lahy-suhns] / ˈlaɪ səns /

noun

1. Chiefly British. a variant of license.

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licence British  

/ ˈlaɪsəns /

noun

1. a certificate, tag, document, etc, giving official permission to do something

2. formal permission or exemption

3. liberty of action or thought; freedom

4. intentional disregard of or deviation from conventional rules to achieve a certain effect

   poetic licence

5. excessive freedom

6. licentiousness

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Etymology

Origin of licence

C14: via Old French and Medieval Latin licentia permission, from Latin: freedom, from licet it is allowed

Explanation

A licence is a permit to do something. You need a licence to drive a car. If you spell it licence instead of license, then you’ll be driving on the left side of the road because the “c” ending is British. A licence, spelled with the “c,” is a noun — like that driver’s licence in your wallet that allows you to drive all over England. In British style, the word license (with an “s”) is only a verb and licence is a noun. So if you can put a/an/or the in front of it, it’s a licence. James Bond had a Licence to Kill in the movie of the same name. Don’t ask to see it!

Example Sentences

They are now investigating how he obtained the necessary documents to renew his licence.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

Ukrainian citizens are permitted to own non-automatic firearms provided they meet licence conditions, such as not having a criminal record or history of mental illness.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

Akhand qualified as a barrister in 2022 but does not hold a licence to practice, meaning he is what is known as a non-practising or unregistered barrister.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Following the consultation, a full application will be submitted, which must be approved by Natural England before a wild release beaver licence is granted.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

From these two opposed appetites, there arises in cities one of three effects: a principality, liberty, or licence.

From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli