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to permit

to permit

531 1.5
To allow someone to do something
  • verb
  • /pərˈmɪt/
translation icon : permitir
  • We have rules on when people are permitted to drink alcohol.
  • permit students
  • permit only
  • permit analysis

We have rules on when people are permitted to drink alcohol.

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Examples

  • The one thing that is not permitted is despair.

  • I'll permit him to answer.

  • Are women not permitted at such events?

  • Only citizens were permitted to own land in Attica.

  • The prisoner Captain Bruner will be permitted to make an opening statement.

  • Permit me to introduce the brilliant young plastic surgeon, Dr Phillip Schlotkin.

  • The teacher will permit students to take the exam at a later date.

  • They did not permit anyone to leave the meeting until all issues were resolved.

  • Her parents permit her to stay out late on weekends.

Synonyms

to let
vsto permit
1.0

Allow someone to do something or something to happen

is more formal and used for official approval or paperwork
to allow
vsto permit
1.0

To let something happen or let someone do something

is more formal and often used in official situations
to grant
vsto permit
  • Formal
565 3.3

To officially give permission, rights, or money to someone

is a general act of allowing rather than a formal legal bestowal
to authorize
vsto permit
489 4.4

To give official permission for someone to do something

is more general and does not always mean giving official power
to entitle
vsto permit
427 3.7

Give someone the right to do or have something

is giving temporary leave to act rather than creating a lasting right
to allow in
vsto permit
172 1.3

Let someone or something enter a place

is a general form of letting actions happen, not only for entry
to license
vsto permit
156 3.4

To give official permission to do something after checking qualifications

is a general act of letting without required checks or proof
to tolerate
vsto permit
56 3.2

Allow people or ideas you do not agree with

is a neutral act of letting that does not require acceptance or agreement
to sanction
vsto permit
  • Formal
53 6.3

To give official permission for something

is a general act of letting something happen without formal approval
to countenance
vsto permit
  • Formal
10 8.3

To allow something by showing approval

is neutral allowing without implying approval or active support

Antonyms

423 1.6

To refuse to let someone have something

211 3.0

Order someone not to do something

Compounds

work permit
  • Formal
11 3.2

Official paper that lets a person from another country work in that country for a time

9 2.8

An official paper that lets a new driver practice driving a car before getting a full license

9 3.4

Official paper that allows you to build or knock down a building on a site

1 3.4

An official document that allows a person to hunt and kill a certain animal during a set time

3.1

An official document that lets you fish in a certain area for a set time

How Permissive

to authorize
489 4.4
to sanction
  • Formal
53 6.3
to permit
531 1.5
to allow
1.0
to let
1.0

Surface Forms

permit infinitive
permitted past
permitted past participle
permitting present participle
permits third person singular

Etymology

The verb permit comes from the same Latin parts per- 'through' and mittere 'to send', so to permit someone is to 'let them go through' or allow something to happen.