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

In the aftermath of a medical green light, that’s the piece of the challenge that will stick around. — Sam McDowell 25, Kansas City Star, 25 July 2026

Compounding pharmacies like Empower and telehealth giant Hims & Hers are waiting for the FDA’s green light to unlock a potential multibillion-dollar market. — Danielle Chemtob, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Watching shoot-first combo guards go off for 30 in a summer-league game is great fun, but most of those dudes don’t get to play with a neon-green light in a game that matters. — John Hollinger, New York Times, 22 July 2026

So this isn’t a green light to start guzzling caramel oat lattes in the name of your health. — Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 22 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