Lisence vs. License — Which is Correct Spelling?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on March 20, 2024
The incorrect spelling is "Lisence" while the correct is "License." License refers to a permit or official approval.
Table of Contents
Which is correct: Lisence or License
How to spell License?
Lisence
Incorrect Spelling
License
Correct Spelling
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Key Differences
Mentally split the word: Li-cense, like “cents,” not “sence.”
Think of the word "advice," where "c" represents the sound "s" just as in "license."
Recall the common phrase "driver's license" which is frequently seen written correctly.
Associate the word with the noun "licence" in British English, which also has the "c."
Remember the phrase "Sense in License," reminding you it ends in "-se."
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How Do You Spell License Correctly?
Incorrect: He forgot to renew his lisence last month.
Correct: He forgot to renew his license last month.
Incorrect: Without a proper lisence, you can't legally drive.
Correct: Without a proper license, you can't legally drive.
Incorrect: She has a lisence to operate heavy machinery.
Correct: She has a license to operate heavy machinery.
Incorrect: Do you need a special lisence to sell food in this city?
Correct: Do you need a special license to sell food in this city?
Incorrect: The company lost its lisence due to violations.
Correct: The company lost its license due to violations.
License Definitions
An official permit to own or do something.
He got his driver's license last week.
Freedom to act or freedom from restrictions.
The artist took creative license in his interpretation.
A document representing rights or permissions.
She showed her fishing license to the officer.
A license (American English) or licence (British English) is an official permission or permit to do, use, or own something (as well as the document of that permission or permit).A license is granted by a party to another party as an element of an agreement between those parties. In the case of a license issued by a government, the license is obtained by applying for it.
License (verb): To grant someone permission or rights.
They licensed the software to various companies.
An exception from a rule or restriction.
The poet uses poetic license to bend traditional forms.
Official or legal permission to engage in a regulated activity
"He believed that the subcommittee gave him license to interrogate anyone about any possible links to communism" (Donald A. Ritchie).
A document, card, plate, or tag that is issued as proof of official or legal permission
A driver's license.
A contract allowing someone to use a proprietary product or service
Has a site license for that software.
Freedom of action or permission to act
"Doctors labeled many of the organs of the immune system 'functionless' ... giving surgeons license to remove them with abandon" (Andrew Weil).
Poetic license.
Lack of due restraint; excessive freedom
"It is important to preserve freedom only for people who are willing to practice self-denial, for otherwise freedom degenerates into license and irresponsibility" (Milton Friedman).
Heedlessness for the precepts of proper behavior, especially with regard to sex
"noir stories of the consequences of sexual license" (Foster Hirsch).
An excuse or justification to do something wrong
People who see low-fat labels as a license to eat larger amounts.
To give or yield permission to or for
"Deep down I wondered what licensed me to speak" (Jan Clausen).
To grant a license to or for; authorize.
A legal document giving official permission to do something; a permit.
The legal terms under which a person is allowed to use a product, especially software.
Freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behaviour or speech).
Excessive freedom; lack of due restraint.
To authorize officially.
I am licensed to practice law in this state.
(transitive) (applied to a piece of intellectual property)
To give formal authorization to use.
It was decided to license Wikipedia under the GFDL.
To acquire authorization to use, usually in exchange for compensation.
The filmmakers licensed several iconic 80's songs for the soundtrack.
(transitive) To give permission or freedom to; accept.
To permit (as grammatically correct).
No English adverbs have mandatory complements, and most don't even license optional ones.
Authority or liberty given to do or forbear any act; especially, a formal permission from the proper authorities to perform certain acts or to carry on a certain business, which without such permission would be illegal; a grant of permission; as, a license to preach, to practice medicine, to sell gunpowder or intoxicating liquors.
To have a license and a leave at London to dwell.
The document granting such permission.
Excess of liberty; freedom abused, or used in contempt of law or decorum; disregard of law or propriety.
License they mean when they cry liberty.
That deviation from strict fact, form, or rule, in which an artist or writer indulges, assuming that it will be permitted for the sake of the advantage or effect gained; as, poetic license; grammatical license, etc.
To permit or authorize by license; to give license to; as, to license a man to preach.
A legal document giving official permission to do something
Freedom to deviate deliberately from normally applicable rules or practices (especially in behavior or speech)
Excessive freedom; lack of due restraint;
When liberty becomes license dictatorship is near
The intolerable license with which the newspapers break...the rules of decorum
The act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization
Authorize officially;
I am licensed to practice law in this state
License Meaning in a Sentence
The city issues a business license to new companies.
Fishing without a license can result in a fine.
The restaurant finally got its liquor license.
She passed her test and received her motorcycle license.
The software requires a license to use.
Her license was suspended for speeding.
You must renew your license every few years.
He showed the officer his license during the traffic stop.
The pilot's license is displayed in his office.
The license plate was registered to a different vehicle.
You need a driver's license to drive a car.
They applied for a marriage license at the courthouse.
You need a license to sell alcohol in this state.
Their broadcasting license was revoked.
You must have a license to carry a concealed weapon.
The license agreement specifies how you can use the software.
Obtaining a real estate license requires passing an exam.
Without a valid license, you cannot operate this equipment.
The license for the software is valid for one year.
The license fee for this service is $100 annually.
The club's license permits it to stay open until 2 AM.
His ham radio license allows him to transmit on certain frequencies.
A hunting license is required during the season.
They celebrated getting their pilot's licenses together.
Doctors must have a license to practice medicine.
License Idioms & Phrases
Artistic license
The freedom to create artwork, music, or literature according to the artist's interpretation.
The painter took artistic license with the landscape to enhance the colors.
License to thrill
Permission or freedom to excite or impress in a dramatic way.
The new movie gives the actor a license to thrill audiences.
Poetic license
The freedom to depart from the facts of a matter or from the conventional rules of language when speaking or writing in order to create an effect.
The author used poetic license to bend historical facts for the story.
Give/license someone to do something
To permit or allow someone to do something.
His experience gives him the license to speak on the matter with authority.
Marriage license
A document obtained by a couple prior to marriage that gives them legal permission to marry.
They picked up their marriage license from the city hall.
License to print money
A way of making money easily or without much effort, typically used in a critical sense to suggest greed.
Many believe popular social media platforms have become a license to print money.
Driver's license
A legal document permitting a person to drive a motor vehicle.
She just passed her driving test and got her driver's license.
Operating license
A permit to run certain types of businesses, especially those that involve health and safety regulations.
The restaurant received its operating license after passing the inspection.
Under license
Having official permission to do something or use something.
The product is being sold under license from the patent holder.
Carry a license
To have official permission, often for carrying something like a weapon.
In some states, you must carry a license to conceal a handgun.
License renewal
The process of renewing official permission to keep it valid.
I received a reminder in the mail for my license renewal.
Fishing license
A permit required to fish in certain areas.
We bought our fishing licenses before heading to the lake.
License plate
A metal or plastic plate attached to a vehicle for official identification purposes.
The car's license plate was hard to read because of the mud.
Renew a license
To extend the validity of a license.
It's time to renew your driver's license at the DMV.
Lose one's license
To have a license taken away as a penalty.
He lost his license after being caught driving under the influence.
Apply for a license
The act of requesting official permission for something.
The company applied for a license to operate in the new market.
Suspension of license
The temporary revocation of a license as a penalty.
The doctor faced suspension of his medical license due to misconduct.
Grant a license
To give official permission for something.
The city council granted a license for the new festival.
Business license
A permit issued by government agencies that allows individuals or companies to conduct business within the government's geographical jurisdiction.
Every storefront in town needs a valid business license.
License agreement
A legal contract permitting the use of software, intellectual property, or other assets.
Users must accept the license agreement before installing the software.
Common Curiosities
What is the verb form of License?
The verb form is "to license."
What is the singular form of License?
The singular form is "license."
Which preposition is used with License?
"With" or "under" can be used with "license" depending on the context.
Which conjunction is used with License?
No specific conjunction is inherently tied to "license." It depends on the context of the sentence.
What is the plural form of License?
The plural form is "licenses."
Is License an adverb?
No, "license" is not an adverb.
What is the root word of License?
The root word is the Latin "licentia."
Why is it called License?
The term "license" comes from the Latin "licentia," meaning "freedom" or "permission."
Which article is used with License?
Both "a" and "the" can be used with "license."
What is the pronunciation of License?
It is pronounced as /ˈlaɪsəns/.
Which vowel is used before License?
The vowel "e" is often used before "license" (e.g., a license).
Is License a noun or adjective?
"License" can be a noun or a verb.
Is License a negative or positive word?
Neutral; however, its connotation can be positive or negative depending on the context.
Is License a countable noun?
Yes, you can have one license or multiple licenses.
Is License an abstract noun?
Yes, in the sense that it represents a permission or freedom, it can be considered an abstract noun.
Is License a collective noun?
No, "license" is not a collective noun.
How many syllables are in License?
There are two syllables.
What is another term for License?
Permit or authorization.
What is the opposite of License?
Prohibition or restriction.
Which determiner is used with License?
Determiners like "a," "an," "the," or possessive pronouns can be used.
Is License a vowel or consonant?
"License" is a word, not a single letter. But it begins with the consonant "L."
How do we divide License into syllables?
Li-cense.
What is the second form of License?
Licensed.
What is the third form of License?
Licensed.
How is License used in a sentence?
"She obtained a license to start her own bakery."
Is the License term a metaphor?
No, though it can be used metaphorically in expressions like "poetic license."
Is the word License is Gerund?
No, "licensing" would be the gerund form.
Is the word “License” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
It can serve as either depending on the sentence structure.
What is a stressed syllable in License?
The first syllable "Li" is stressed.
What is the first form of License?
As a verb, the first form is "license."
Is the word License is imperative?
No, "license" itself is not an imperative.
What part of speech is License?
"License" can be both a noun and a verb.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
