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to license

to license

156 3.4
To give official permission to do something after checking qualifications
  • verb
  • /ˈlaɪsəns/
translation icon : licenciar
  • Before teaching, she needs to license her qualifications through the state's education board.
  • companies license
  • license software
  • licensed professional

So I don't work for RT, but they license our show and they pay Larry.

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Examples

  • All of the centers were licensed by the state, as required by law.

    Academic text (2008)
  • ARM will license it to people for a fee, but they own that.

  • So I go, hey, what if I license out my model?

  • In two years time, I will be a licensed therapist.

  • You are supposed to have a licensed guide when you're on this land, too.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • And I'm a licensed CPA.

  • I am a licensed third-party reseller of sneakers.

  • Wildlife rehabilitators are volunteers licensed by DEC to treat injured or orphaned wildlife.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • California Spaceport became the first commercial spaceport licensed by the FAA on September 19, 1996.

    Academic text (2008)
  • To operate a food truck, you must first license it with the local health department.

Synonyms

to grant
vsto license
  • Formal
565 3.3

To officially give permission, rights, or money to someone

is narrower, requiring checks or certification before allowing action
to authorize
vsto license
489 4.4

To give official permission for someone to do something

focuses on prior verification of qualifications before permitting
to sanction
vsto license
  • Formal
53 6.3

To give official permission for something

emphasizes approval by authority but adds verification of standards

Antonyms

299 3.3

To officially say that something is not allowed by law

Compounds

179 1.7

An official card that lets a person drive a car

124 1.6

A plate on vehicles like cars that shows the registration number

24 2.8

An official paper from the government that allows two people to marry

17 1.0

Numbers or letters on a car's number plate that identify the vehicle

16 3.8

Official permission to sell alcoholic drinks

5 1.5

An official document that lets a person drive a car on public roads

5 3.0

Official permission to hunt certain animals in a set area and time

4 3.1

A payment to the government to allow you to do a job or business legally

4 2.4

A permit that lets you fish legally

poetic license
  • Literature
2 6.7

Freedom a writer or artist takes to change facts to make a story stronger

license tax
  • Formal
1 5.2

A fee the government charges to get permission to sell things or do some jobs

1 2.6

An official paper that allows two people to marry

license number
  • Specialized
1 2.9

A code you enter to activate software or an online service

3.7

An official card showing you finished a safety course and can operate certain boats

crayon license
  • Baby Talk
8.4

A playful certificate that teachers give young children to show they can use crayons

game license
  • Formal
5.1

Official paper that lets a person hunt a specific animal like deer or turkey during a set time

6.7

Official permission to work in a particular job

on-license
  • Specialized
7.9

Official permission to sell alcohol for people to drink in a bar or restaurant

How Permissive

to allow
1.0
to permit
531 1.5
to authorize
489 4.4
to license
156 3.4
to restrict
361 3.1
to forbid
211 3.0

Surface Forms

license infinitive
licence infinitive
licensed past
licenced past
licensed past participle
licenced past participle
licensing present participle
licencing present participle
licenses third person singular
licences third person singular

Etymology

License comes from the Latin licentia 'freedom' and licere 'to be allowed'. To license someone is to officially 'allow' them to do something, which is why the verb means to give permission after checking rules.