green light

noun

: authority or permission to proceed

green-light

ˈgrēn-ˌlīt 

transitive verb

Synonyms of green light

• permission
• authorization
• consent
• granting
• sanction
• permit

Examples of green light in a Sentence

we were given the green light to use the town commons for our fund-raiser

Recent Examples on the Web

The $570 level is your green light to add more because the breakout is real and present. —Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 28 Nov. 2025

This is a cosmic green light for fun, creativity, love, and unapologetic joy. —Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 28 Nov. 2025

While red and blue light (and their combination, purple) are most well-known for their use in treating signs of aging and blemishes, respectively, the Age-R Booster Pro also offers inflammation-reducing green light and radiance-boosting orange light. —Emily Orofino, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2025

An aggressive plan to add nearly 20,000 potential new homes to Clairemont over the next 30 years got a key green light Friday when the City Council’s Land Use and Housing Committee unanimously approved it. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from the green traffic light which signals permission to proceed

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for green light

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight