Word
permissible
Phoneticsper·mis·si·ble, stress on the second syllable
US/pɝˈmɪsəbəɫ/
UK/pəmˈɪsəbəl/
Definition
adj. allowed by a law, a rule, or an official authority.
adj. permitted by law, regulation, or an authoritative body; often used in legal or administrative contexts.
Examples
“It is not permissible to smoke inside the building.”
“The judge ruled that the evidence was not permissible in court because it was obtained without a warrant.”
“While minor deviations from the original blueprint are permissible during construction, any structural changes must be approved by the lead architect to ensure the building remains safe.”
Examples
simple
“It is not permissible to smoke inside the building.”
contextual
“The judge ruled that the evidence was not permissible in court because it was obtained without a warrant.”
complex
“While minor deviations from the original blueprint are permissible during construction, any structural changes must be approved by the lead architect to ensure the building remains safe.”
Usage
Often follows 'it is' or 'it is not' as a predicative adjective.
Real-World Examples
“The independent Parades Commission has ruled that the march down the Garvaghy Road is permissible.” “Instead, in certain situations, like in the famous “trolley problem,” people frequently judge killing to be morally permissible – especially when that killing is expected to promote the well-being of others.” Etymology
From Middle English permyssyble, from Old French permissible, from Medieval Latin permissibilis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/permissible