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unlicensed

unlicensed

27 4.2
Does not have official permission to do something
  • adjective
  • /ʌnˈlaɪsənst/
translation icon : sin licencia
  • An unlicensed driver cannot legally operate a vehicle on public roads.
  • unlicensed and licensed
  • unlicensed parties
  • unlicensed workers

But just tell the last thing, the very last unlicensed fight I had in London.

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Examples

  • On 18 November, an unlicensed television station founded by the DPP began broadcasting.

    Academic text (1995)
  • In Minnesota, the midwife Ilithyia was brought up on charges for performing unlicensed abortions.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Anyone caught with an unlicensed computer or video camera can be sent to jail for four years or longer.

    Academic text (1996)
  • You crashed an unlicensed vehicle into a suburban area.

  • In many states, physical education has been taught by classroom teachers and unlicensed physical educators.

    Academic text (2003)
  • With your tax dollars, a voucher school could hire unlicensed or unqualified teachers.

    Blog text (10)
  • Two women alleged to be operating as unlicensed farm-labor contractors are also named as defendants.

    Blog text (4)
  • Data show that 52 percent of licensed workers hold a Bachelor's degree, compared to 38 percent of unlicensed workers.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Remember, Clarice, if you get caught with a concealed, unlicensed firearm... in the District of Columbia, the penalty is very stiff.

  • They're employing unlicensed nurses.

Synonyms

unregistered
vsunlicensed
25 4.8

Not recorded by an official body

focuses specifically on lacking official legal approval rather than records
unsanctioned
vsunlicensed
6 7.3

Not officially allowed by the people in charge

focuses on missing required official legal permission from an authority
unaccredited
vsunlicensed
2 7.2

Not officially approved by a government or other official body

is about missing official legal permission rather than institutional recognition
nonlicensed
vsunlicensed
  • Formal
5.1

Not having official permission required by law to operate

has identical meaning but uses the un prefix form
unlicenced
vsunlicensed
  • UK
4.1

Not officially allowed by the government to sell goods or drive a vehicle

has identical meaning but uses the other common spelling

Antonyms

3.5

Allowed by an official group to do a certain job

How Authorized

certified
4 4.0
licensed
3.5
unlicensed
27 4.2
unauthorized
  • US
110 4.5
illegal
1.0

Surface Forms

unlicensed positive

Morphology

unlicensed = licensed (transparent) = un + license + ed

The adjective is formed by adding the negative prefix 'un-' to 'licensed' (itself clearly license + -ed), so the negative meaning is directly predictable.

Etymology

Unlicensed breaks into un- 'not' and license 'permission', like a 'driver's license'. So unlicensed means 'without official permission'.