License or Licence | Spelling, Explanation & Examples
The word license or licence can be spelled differently according to its meaning and whether you are using American English or British English. In American English, license is the only spelling for both the noun and verb. In British English, the noun is spelled licence and the verb license.
One of the best income sources for musicians is when they are able to license/license their music for TV commercials.
Getting your license/licence to drive is a modern rite of passage in many cultures.
This can help with practise (verb) and practice (noun), as well as license (verb) and licence (noun).
License or licence as a noun
In American English, the noun is spelled license, and in British English, it is licence.
In Birmingham, UK, a shop with a license/licence to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises is called an “outdoor” because the customers used to be served outside.
Every health care system in the world requires doctors to have a relevant license/licence to practice/practise.
License or licence as a verb
In both British English and American English, the verb license is spelled the same. The same is true for the adjective derived from the verb (e.g., “licensed practitioner”).
These days we almost never own software, but we pay the producers a fee, and they license/license us to use their product.
In England, it is the responsibility of magistrates courts to license/license pubs, bars, and restaurants to sell alcohol.
Main differences between American and British English
American and British English are very similar, but there are a few main differences in spelling. Five important differences are:
| Difference | Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -or vs -our | In American English, many Latin-derived words end in -or. | Behavior or behaviour |
| In British English, these same words end in -our. | ||
| -er vs -re | In American English, some French, Latin, or Greek words end in -er. | Theater or theatre
Meter or metre Liter or litre Saber or sabre Fiber or fibre |
| In British English, these same words end in -re. | ||
| -ize vs -ise | In American English, many Greek-derived words end in -yze or -ize. | Realize or realise
Organize or organise Minimize or minimise Finalize or finalise |
| In British English, these words end in -yse or -ise. | ||
| -ed vs -t | In American English, most verbs are regular and form their past tense with the suffix -ed. | Learned or learnt |
| In British English, some of these verbs are irregular and form their past tense with the suffix -t. | ||
| Single vs double consonant | In American English, many words are spelled with a single consonant. | Modeling or modelling |
| In British English, these same words are often spelled with a double consonant. |
