Definition

Noun: 1. Consent or authorization granted to do something: The act of allowing someone to do a particular thing, often after being asked. 2. Formal or official approval: A document or statement that grants the right to engage in a specific activity.

Usage

Permission is used to indicate that someone has been allowed to do something. It is typically requested from an authority figure, a parent, a teacher, or a system. It can be informal (spoken) or formal (written).

Examples

• Noun:
  • You must ask for permission before using my computer.
  • The teacher gave the students permission to leave class early.
  • He finally got permission from the city council to build the extension.
  • Do I have your permission to quote you in my report?

Advanced Usage

• "on/with someone's permission": done after receiving consent from a specific person.
  • I entered the office with the manager's permission.
• "without permission": done without asking for or receiving consent.
  • You cannot borrow books from the library without permission.
• "to grant/give permission": to formally allow something.
  • The authorities granted permission for the event to proceed.
• "to seek/request permission": to ask for authorization.
  • You need to seek permission from the copyright holder.

Variants and Related Words

• Permit (verb): To allow something to happen or to give authorization.
  • The rules do not permit smoking in this area.
• Permit (noun): An official document giving permission.
  • You need a parking permit for this zone.
• Permissible (adjective): Allowed or permitted, especially by rules.
  • Is it permissible to park here overnight?
• Permissive (adjective): Allowing or characterized by great freedom of behavior.
  • She grew up in a very permissive household.

Synonyms

• Authorization: Official permission or approval.
• Consent: Agreement or permission for something to happen.
• Approval: The action of agreeing to something or accepting it as satisfactory.
• License: Formal permission from an authority to own, use, or do something.

Antonyms

• Prohibition: The action of forbidding something.
• Ban: An official or legal prohibition.
• Refusal: The act of denying or not granting something asked for.

Related Phrases

• By your leave: A formal or old-fashioned way of saying "with your permission."
  • I will take my leave now, by your leave.
• Take liberties: To act in a way that is too familiar or without proper permission.
  • He took liberties by making changes to the document without asking.

Noun

1. the act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization
2. approval to do something
   • he asked permission to leave