unlicensed

adjective

un·​li·​censed ˌən-ˈlī-sᵊn(t)st 

: not licensed: such as

a

: not authorized or permitted by a license

unlicensed merchandise

an unlicensed firearm

the unlicensed reproduction of books

b

: operating without a license

unlicensed vendors

an unlicensed electrician

unlicensed brokers

unlicensed drivers

Examples of unlicensed in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The bar was also the site of a shootout involving unlicensed security that sent someone to the hospital. —Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Sep. 2025

Neither DraftKings nor FanDuel accept any transactions in crypto, which could indicate a willingness to explore unlicensed, offshore gambling platforms. —Alex Sherman,contessa Brewer, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025

Bautista’s wife operated an unlicensed childcare facility in their East Palo Alto home, prosecutors said. —Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 25 Sep. 2025

An investigation into unlicensed contracting led to a chase on the Overseas Highway in the Florida Keys that ended with a crash into a deputy’s car and three people arrested Monday morning, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office said. —David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unlicensed

• licenced
• licensed

Medical Definition

unlicensed

adjective

un·​li·​censed

variants or chiefly British unlicenced

-ˈlīs-ᵊn(t)st

: not licensed

especially, of a drug : not approved for use by the appropriate regulating authority (as the Food and Drug Administration in the United States)