permissible

adjective

per·​mis·​si·​ble pər-ˈmi-sə-bəl How to pronounce permissible (audio)
Synonyms of permissiblenext
: that may be permitted : allowable
permissibility noun
permissibleness noun
permissibly adverb

Examples of permissible in a Sentence

deployment overseas would be regarded as a permissible reason for late filing by members of the military
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Until 1979, all states had usury laws limiting permissible interest rates on transactions within their domain. George Liebmann, Baltimore Sun, 11 Apr. 2026 And Ben Ahlers, who plays the adult Happy, comes with that actor’s famously warm smile and chirpy demeanor, slowly worn down here before your eyes, as the permissible frolics of youth turn into the stasis of one going nowhere. Chris Jones, New York Daily News, 10 Apr. 2026 While earlier Supreme Court cases had addressed discrimination in higher education, the Brown court was clear that the students’ youth did not make any discrimination any more permissible. Alison Somin, Oc Register, 10 Apr. 2026 While tripping with the foot is not allowed, an ankle tap, which is performed with the hand, is considered a tackle and is permissible. Bestreviews, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for permissible

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin permissibilis, from Latin permissus, past participle of permittere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of permissible was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Permissible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/permissible. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

permissible

adjective
per·​mis·​si·​ble pər-ˈmis-ə-bəl How to pronounce permissible (audio)
: that may be permitted : allowable
permissibility noun
permissibleness noun
permissibly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on permissible

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster