permissive

American  

[per-mis-iv] / pərˈmɪs ɪv /

adjective

1. habitually or characteristically accepting or tolerant of something, as social behavior or linguistic usage, that others might disapprove or forbid.

   Synonyms:

   lax, lenient, indulgent

2. granting or denoting permission.

   a permissive nod.

3. left to one's choice; not mandatory.

   This legislation is permissive and merely authorizes counties to levy a tax if in the county's best interest.

4. Genetics. (of a cell) permitting replication of a strand of DNA that could be lethal, as a viral segment or mutant gene.

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permissive British  

/ pəˈmɪsɪv /

adjective

1. tolerant; lenient

   permissive parents

2. indulgent in matters of sex

   a permissive society

3. granting permission

4. archaic not obligatory

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Other Word Forms

• nonpermissive adjective
• nonpermissively adverb
• permissively adverb
• permissiveness noun
• unpermissive adjective

Etymology

Origin of permissive

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English, from Middle French permissif “granting permission”; permission, -ive

Example Sentences

The issue up until now is that some of the route was on permissive paths through private land, which could be closed for some of the year.

From BBC

Those dominant players enjoy "extremely permissive regulatory contexts on copyright," Herblin-Stoop said.

From Barron's

Although more permissive policies can help some pupils feel less isolated, the study also found they could increase distractions and cases of online conflict.

From BBC

The provision says that the program “may entail the meaningful financial support” of the investor, which some lobbyists are reading as more permissive than other exceptions that “require” such support.

From Barron's

McArthur counters that the Scottish bill does not follow those "permissive and expansive models" but is instead modelled on stable, tightly-drawn laws in Australia and the US state of Oregon.

From BBC

Related Words

• indulgent
• lax
• open-minded
• tolerant