licence
licence — noun
1. a card or document issued by an official body that allows you to drive, own a ve
a card or document issued by an official body that allows you to drive, own a vehicle, fish, sell alcohol, run a business, or do another activity that the law would otherwise restrict
Quan passed his driving test last week and finally received his full driving licence.
driving licence — official document for driving
The restaurant lost its licence to sell alcohol after serving drinks to teenagers.
licence + to-infinitive for permitted activity
Femi renewed his fishing licence online before the summer holiday began.
The council refused to grant a licence for the new nightclub near the school.
- permit
a permit is often for a specific one-time activity rather than an ongoing document
- certificate
a certificate proves you have completed training; a licence gives ongoing permission
- authorisation
refers to the act of giving permission rather than the physical document
文法句型
licence + to-infinitive
licence + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
In UK English, the noun is always spelled 'licence'. Do not confuse with 'license', which is the verb form.
常見錯誤
2. the freedom to act or speak as one pleases without outside control, particularly
the freedom to act or speak as one pleases without outside control, particularly when this goes further than what most people consider reasonable
The journalist took too much licence with the facts in her article about the politician.
take too much licence with — common phrase for going too far
Layla felt the teacher gave the older students too much licence to skip assignments.
Rafael feared the new rules gave police too much licence to search homes.
The film director took considerable licence with the historical timeline in her latest movie.
- restriction
a limit or control on what someone may do
文法句型
licence to + infinitive
take (too much) licence with
用法筆記
This sense often carries a negative tone — it implies the freedom is being used irresponsibly or beyond reasonable limits. A more neutral alternative is 'freedom' or 'latitude'.
常見錯誤
3. the freedom that artists, writers, musicians, and filmmakers have to change fact
the freedom that artists, writers, musicians, and filmmakers have to change facts or break normal rules in order to create a better or more powerful effect in their work
By artistic licence, the novel's hero meets the queen years before their real meeting.
artistic licence — freedom to change facts for effect
Ryo defended his use of modern slang in the historical play as poetic licence.
Critics complained that the documentary relied too heavily on dramatic licence rather than real evidence.
Sven accepts historical licence in costume dramas as long as the main events feel true.
- creative freedom
broader and more neutral — does not specifically imply changing facts
- artistic freedom
nearly synonymous but slightly less specific to bending rules
文法句型
[adjective] + licence
用法筆記
The most common form of this sense is 'poetic licence', which specifically refers to a writer or poet changing facts or language rules. 'Artistic licence' and 'dramatic licence' are also used in the visual arts and theatre.
4. an arrangement in which the owner of a brand, design, invention, or piece of wri
an arrangement in which the owner of a brand, design, invention, or piece of writing gives legal permission for another person or company to make or sell copies of it
The Japanese car company builds its most popular model under licence from a German manufacturer.
under licence from — standard commercial phrase
Faisal's software firm agreed to produce the game under licence from the original creator.
The publisher paid a large fee for the licence to translate the novel into Chinese.
The university granted an exclusive licence to the startup to develop the new hearing aid.
- franchise
a franchise is a broader business agreement that includes brand, systems, and support; 'licence' is narrower
- authorisation
more general; 'licence' specifically implies IP rights
文法句型
under licence
licence from [company/person]
用法筆記
This sense nearly always appears in the phrase 'under licence' (e.g., 'manufactured under licence') or with 'licence to' followed by a commercial activity. It is specific to intellectual property and manufacturing rights.
常見錯誤
licence — verb
1. to give official permission for a person or organisation to do, own, or use some
to give official permission for a person or organisation to do, own, or use something. Note: in UK English the verb form is spelled 'license' (with an 's'), while the noun is spelled 'licence' (with a 'c').
The local council licensed the street vendor to sell food on the market square.
licensed + person + to-infinitive
Hugo's pharmacy is licensed to dispense controlled medicines under strict regulations.
The new nightclub was finally licensed by the city authorities after a long delay.
The government licensed three new television stations to broadcast in rural areas.
- ban
to officially forbid an activity
文法句型
license + person/company + to-infinitive
be licensed to do something
用法筆記
In British English, the verb is always 'license' and the noun is always 'licence'. This is the opposite of American English, where both are spelled 'license'. Learners writing for a UK audience must remember: noun = c, verb = s.