permission - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
permission Word Meanings
- authorization to do something
- consent given by someone
- legal right to act
permission Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
permission Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/pəˈmɪʃ(ə)n/
US
/pərˈmɪʃ(ə)n/
permission Word Etymology
per- = through + mission = sending; from Latin 'permissio' to Old French 'permission' then English. Imagine a gate opening up, allowing you to move through with a 'pass' that grants you entry.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I reach for the door handle, feel the metal under my thumb and pause. A breath later I ask myself, do I have the right to go, do I have permission to enter? I push forward a step, then pull back to adjust my balance as the space answers with a quiet whisper. The moment settles into a simple rhythm I can keep following, and the move becomes a sense of freedom rather than a rule.
Real Context
Permission is the formal approval to act, whether from a person with authority or from the law. It covers three related ideas: authorization to do something, consent given by someone else, and a recognized right to enter a space or use a resource. In everyday use, you ask for permission before borrowing, entering, or sharing something, and you grant permission when you let someone proceed. The word emphasizes the social and legal basis of the act, not the action itself. Think of a gate that opens only after the correct signal or permit, allowing passage you would not have otherwise.
Usage Reminders
- - Ask for permission before using someone else's property.
- - Know who can grant permission and what conditions apply.
- - Use 'permission' for formal approval, 'consent' for voluntary agreement, and 'authorization' in official contexts.
- - Consider whether permission can be withdrawn or restricted.
- - Pair with verbs like 'grant', 'give', 'obtain', or 'withhold'.
Common Misconceptions
- Permission is the same as consent
- Permission always refers to a legal right
- You can have many permissions at once without limits
- Permission and allow are interchangeable in all contexts
- Permission implies a document or formal formality
Thinking Differences
In English, permission often spans social, informal, and legal contexts; learners must pick the right shade (permission vs consent vs authorization) and note it as a noun rather than a verb. Mistakes commonly include using 'permit' too loosely or treating 'permission' as countable in every context.
Learning Tips
- Remember it's a noun (not a verb) in most contexts.
- Use 'permission to' + verb, not 'permission + verb'.
- Pair with verbs: grant, give, obtain, withhold permission.
- Distinguish 'permission' (approval) from 'consent' (willing agreement).
- Learn common collocations: permission slip, obtain permission, permission to enter.
- Practice 2-step requests: ask for permission, then proceed if granted.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'permission'?
A.Confusion
B.Refusal
C.Knowledge
D.Approval
Step 2: Usage
How is the word 'permission' used in a sentence?
A.He ignored permission to arrive late.
B.He asked for permission to leave early.
C.He gave permission to trespass.
D.He doubted permission to enter.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is similar to 'permission'?
A.Denial
B.Authorization
C.Prohibition
D.Obligation
Step 4: Opposite Words
Which word is the opposite of 'permission'?
A.Support
B.Ban
C.Guidance
D.Command
Step 5: Mastery
In what real-life context would you need to ask for permission?
A.To borrow a friend's car
B.To feed a stray cat
C.To read a book
D.To clean your own room
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