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 hot and dusty city streets were bathed in decorative green light to celebrate National Day, as hundreds of electronic billboards projected the sword and script of the Saudi flag, shown fluttering as if caught in a breeze. — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 24 Sep. 2026

Now, with a US green light for its civil nuclear ambitions, more uranium finds may surface. — semafor.com, 17 Sep. 2026

The Invest Atlanta board voted 6-2 to give the initial green light to an incentive package that focuses on Amsterdam Walk’s first apartments. — Zachary Hansen, AJC.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Investigators say the 2019 McLaren accelerated from a green light before veering into the tree. — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 15 Sep. 2026

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