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. Some differences are:
| Difference | Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -or vs -our | In American English, many Latin-derived words end in -or. | Behavior or behaviour Color or colour Favor or favour Flavor or flavour Favorite or favourite Honor or honour Humor or humour Labor or labour Neighbor or neighbour |
| In British English, these same words end in -our. | ||
| -er vs -re | In American English, some French, Latin, or Greek words end in -er. | Center or centre Fiber or fibre Theater or theatre |
| In British English, these same words end in -re. | ||
| -ize vs -ise | In American English, many Greek-derived words end in -yze or -ize. | Analyze or analyse Organization or organisation Realize or realise Recognize or recognise |
| 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. | Burned or burnt Dreamed or dreamt Kneeled or knelt Learned or learnt Smelled or smelt Spelled or spelt Spilled or spilt |
| 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. | Buses or busses Canceled or cancelled Counselor or counsellor Focused or focussed Labeled or labelled Modeling or modelling Traveling or travelling |
| In British English, these same words are often spelled with a double consonant. | ||
| Dropping vs retaining the “e” | In American English, “e” is often dropped when forming a noun from a verb | Acknowledgment or acknowledgement Aging or ageing Judgment or judgement |
| In British English, the “e” is often retained. | ||
| Different verb and noun spellings | In American English, most words have identical verb and noun spellings. | License or licence Practice or practise |
| In British English, some words have different spellings for the verb and noun forms. | ||
| Other spelling differences | There are many other spelling differences between the two English variants. | Airplane or aeroplane Aluminum or aluminium Check or cheque Cozy or cosy Defense or defence Dependent or dependant Enrollment or enrolment Fulfil or fulfill Gray or grey Jewelry or jewellery Karat or carat Mold or mould Offense or offence Pajamas or pyjamas Program or programme Skeptical or sceptical Tire or tyre |
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