licensed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "licensed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who has permission to do something. For example, "She is a licensed psychologist."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

When bought online, an AK-47 must be shipped from a federally licensed seller to a federally licensed dealer representing the buyer.

The Economist

"There's the same number of unlicensed gangmasters as there is licensed, in the food-processing industry, for instance.

The Guardian - Opinion

The WHO's essential medicines committee has rejected an application from Novartis to have the expensive licensed drug Lucentis added to the list of drugs all countries should stock (PDF).

The Guardian

Since we started operating in 2006, anyone providing workers to gather shellfish on a commercial scale must be licensed and operate within our stringent standards.

The Guardian - Opinion

For years, handset makers have licensed patents to each other so they can make interoperable products.

The Guardian - Tech

Normally, they are licensed on "fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory" terms.

The Guardian - Tech

The town's Arizona market – a haven for drugs, prostitution, guns and counterfeit merchandise during and after the war - was transformed into a licensed, regulated bazaar.

The Guardian

Steroid nose drops are licensed for children over six and work well – newer ones have fewer side effects and do not affect growth.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That included advice from the General Medical Council that if there are two drugs that are equally effective, doctors should prescribe the licensed one.

The Guardian

All countries should make available a cheap, unlicensed drug to prevent blindness in older people – one in preference to the expensive licensed version promoted by pharmaceutical companies, a World Health Organisation committee has ruled.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

In recent years India has aggressively campaigned against a proposal to license Afghan opium farmers to supply the legal medical market, in part because its own licensed opium farmers would see their business threatened.Fifteen years ago almost all funding for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) came from "major donors", dominated by America and EU countries.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing professionals, ensure you use "licensed" to convey that they have met the necessary qualifications and have the authority to practice. For example, "a licensed physician" or "a licensed electrician".

Common error

Avoid confusing "licensed", which means having permission, with "licentious", which means lacking moral restraint. Using one in place of the other can drastically alter the meaning of your sentence and create misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "licensed" is as an adjective, typically modifying a noun to indicate that the noun possesses the necessary authorization or permission to perform a specific action or operate in a particular capacity. Ludwig confirms its usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "licensed" is an adjective used to describe something or someone possessing official authorization or permission to engage in a specific activity. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the grammatical status of "licensed" is correct, and it is very commonly used, particularly in news and media, formal business, and science contexts. When using "licensed", it's crucial to differentiate it from "licentious" to avoid miscommunication. Common synonyms include "authorized", "certified", and "permitted". Remember that proper usage of "licensed" ensures clarity and accuracy in conveying the legitimacy of the subject. Ludwig provides numerous examples to better clarify its usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

authorized

A single-word synonym emphasizing official permission.

certified

Suggests a formal verification of competence or quality.

permitted

Indicates allowed action, often by explicit consent.

accredited

Emphasizes recognition by an official body.

sanctioned

Implies formal approval or endorsement.

endorsed

Highlights approval or support, often publicly.

chartered

Specifically refers to being granted a formal charter.

franchised

Relates to granting a franchise or business right.

concessioned

Implies that there is a concession or privilege granted

empowered

Suggests the granting of power or authority.

FAQs

How is "licensed" used in a sentence?

The word "licensed" is used to describe someone or something that has official permission to operate or perform a certain activity. For example, "The restaurant is "licensed" to serve alcohol".

What's an alternative to the word "licensed"?

Alternatives to "licensed" include "authorized", "certified", or "permitted". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "licensed" and "licenced"?

"Licensed" is the standard spelling in American English, while "licenced" is the standard spelling in British English. Both words have the same meaning; the difference is regional.

Is it correct to say "fully licensed"?

Yes, "fully licensed" is a correct and common phrase used to emphasize that someone or something has all the necessary licenses to operate without restrictions.