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

When an ocelot begins prowling the neighborhood and a mysterious green light appears in the sky, Bernardo is forced to confront the harsh, uncontrollable nature of growing up. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 13 July 2026

Lee’s Summit City Council members have given a green light to plans for a new $49 million, 100,000-square-foot Dillons grocery store off Douglas Street. — Nathan Pilling july 13, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026

Miami city commissioners on Thursday unanimously gave what could be the final green light to a $40 million plan to rebuild and reopen the historic, long-shuttered Coconut Grove Playhouse after 13 years of legal and political battles. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 10 July 2026

But the board’s green light came only after an hour and a half of deep discussion on the subject. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 9 July 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