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Licence vs. license? Is it just a spelling mistake or are they variants of the same word?
Let’s get straight to the point:
In British English (and other non-American English dialects), use licence as a noun and license as a verb.
In American English, use license as both a noun and a verb.
Table of Contents
Licence vs. License? Which Is Correct?
What’s the difference between licence and license? It depends on where your audience is based!
If your audience is based in the US, use license for both nouns and verbs.
If your audience is based in the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or another English-speaking country, use licence as a noun and license as a verb.
This is similar to how practice vs. practise works in American English. American English uses practice as both a noun and a verb. Unfortunately, practice ends in “ce” and license ends in “se,” so there’s no logical rule here.
Use License as a Verb
As a verb, to license means to issue a license to someone or to give someone permission to do something.
Examples of License as a Verb:
The DMV decided it would license him to drive—after his fifth attempt at the test.
James Bond was licensed to kill, but he was growing tired of it.
The authority responsible for licensing the event is suddenly not answering the phone.
These sentences are correct in both American English and British English.
Use License as a Noun in American English
As a noun, a license is a permit or a document that grants permission to someone to do, own, or use something.
Examples of License as a Noun:
He lost his driver’s license but that didn’t stop him entering the drag race.
The bar was granted a license to serve alcohol mere hours before the party began.
Use Licence as a Noun in British English
In British English, when spelled licence, the word is used as a noun.
Examples of Licence as a Noun:
He lost his driver’s licence but that didn’t stop him entering the drag race.
The bar was granted a licence to serve alcohol mere hours before the party began.
Is it Artistic Licence or Lisense?
The answer is both.
In American English, it’s artistic license because license is used for both the noun and the verb.
In British English, it’s artistic licence because it’s referring to a metaphorical permit. This permit is a thing, which makes licence a noun.
The same goes for poetic licence/license.
American English = poetic license
British English = poetic licence
Licence vs. License Quiz
Test your knowledge of the difference between licence and license with this quiz. For the purposes of this quiz, please use the British English rule. The answers are at the end of this blog post.
- The bank had only just been issued with a new banking licence/license when it announced it was pulling out of the country.
- In most countries, you need to get your dog licenced/licensed and microchipped.
- What age can you apply for your driver’s licence/license?
- Your local licencing/licensing authority can help you apply for a licence/license.
- Are you licenced/licensed to sell alcohol on this premises?
Final Thoughts on Licence vs. License
In summary, before you decide which spelling to use, consider where your audience is based. If your audience is familiar with British English, use licence as a noun and license as a verb. If your audience is familiar with American English, use license as both a noun and a verb.
Licence vs. License Quiz Answers
- The bank had only just been issued with a new banking licence when it announced it was pulling out of the country.
- In most countries, you need to get your dog licensed and microchipped.
- What age can you apply for your driver’s licence?
- Your local licensing authority can help you apply for a licence.
- Are you licensed to sell alcohol on this premises?
