WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
per•mis•sive /pɚˈmɪsɪv/USA pronunciation
adj.
per•mis•sive•ness, n. [uncountable]too much permissiveness in American society.See -mis-.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- too willing to allow or permit something, as social behavior, that others might disapprove of or forbid:permissive parents who allowed her to stay up late.
- giving, expressing, or showing permission:a permissive nod.
per•mis•sive•ness, n. [uncountable]too much permissiveness in American society.See -mis-.
per•mis•sive
(pər mis′iv),USA pronunciation adj.
per•mis′sive•ly, adv.
per•mis′sive•ness, n.
- habitually or characteristically accepting or tolerant of something, as social behavior or linguistic usage, that others might disapprove or forbid.
- granting or denoting permission:a permissive nod.
- optional.
- Genetics(of a cell) permitting replication of a strand of DNA that could be lethal, as a viral segment or mutant gene.
- 1425–75; late Middle English; see permission, -ive; compare French permissif
per•mis′sive•ness, n.
- 1. indulgent, lenient, lax.