License is spelled L-I-C-E-N-S-E in American English

The word license is spelled with an S in the middle and an S at the end: L-I-C-E-N-S-E. This is the standard spelling in the United States for both the noun (a permit or document) and the verb (to grant permission or authorize). If you see it spelled "licence" with a C instead of an S, that is the British English spelling—correct in the UK, Canada, and Australia, but not in American English.

The confusion happens because English uses both versions depending on where you are. American spell-checkers will flag "licence" as wrong, while British spell-checkers will flag "license" as wrong. If you are writing for an American audience or using American software, use the S spelling.

Key Takeaways

  • In American English, the correct spelling is license with an S in both the middle and at the end, for both nouns and verbs.
  • The British English spelling is licence with a C in the middle, which is correct in the UK and Commonwealth countries but not in the United States.
  • Both spellings refer to the same thing: a permit, document, or the act of granting permission.
  • Your computer's spell-checker will follow whichever English variant you have selected in your settings.
  • If you write for multiple audiences, you may need to switch your spell-checker language setting depending on which version of English the document requires.

Why the two spellings exist

English inherited this split from French, where nouns and verbs are spelled differently. In French, the noun is spelled with a C and the verb with an S. British English kept that distinction: licence is the noun (the document you hold) and license is the verb (to license someone). American English simplified this and uses the S spelling for both the noun and the verb.

This pattern shows up in other word pairs too. In British English, you have "defence" (noun) and "defend" (verb), while American English uses "defense" for both. The same logic applies to "practice" versus "practise," though American English again chose one spelling for both forms. The American approach reduces the number of rules a writer has to remember.

How to remember the American spelling

If you live in the United States and need to remember which spelling to use, think of the word sense. Both "license" and "sense" are spelled with an S. This is a straightforward memory trick that works for most American writers and helps you avoid the British C spelling.

Another way to remember: in American English, we use S for both the noun and the verb. You get a license (noun), and the government will license (verb) you to drive. One spelling, one S sound, one rule. This consistency makes American English easier to spell once you know the rule.

Common contexts where you will see this word

You encounter "license" most often in everyday documents. A driver's license is the card you carry. A business license is what a shop or restaurant needs to operate legally. A software license is the agreement you accept when you install a program. In all these cases, American English spells it with an S.

The verb form appears in sentences like "The state will license you as a contractor" or "We are licensed to sell insurance." Again, the S spelling is correct in American English for both uses. You will also see it in professional contexts like "a licensed electrician" or "a licensed therapist."

What to do if your spell-checker disagrees

If you are using Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or another writing tool, check your language settings. These programs default to either American or British English depending on your location and account settings. If your spell-checker keeps flagging "license" as wrong, go into your settings and confirm you have American English selected.

Most programs let you change this in Preferences or Settings under Language or Spelling. Once you set it to American English, the spell-checker will accept "license" and flag "licence" instead. If you write for both American and British audiences, you may need to switch your settings depending on which version you are working on. This takes only a few seconds and prevents frustration.

Other American versus British spelling differences

The license/licence split is part of a larger pattern in English spelling. American English tends to be shorter and simpler than British English in several categories. Common examples include "color" (American) versus "colour" (British), "organize" (American) versus "organise" (British), and "theater" (American) versus "theatre" (British).

Another group involves the letter Z. American English uses Z in words like "realize," "recognize," and "emphasize," while British English uses S in "realise," "recognise," and "emphasise." If you understand that American English generally prefers shorter, simpler spellings, you can often guess the American version even if you have not seen the word before.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is "licence" ever correct in the United States?

No, not in standard American English. If you see "licence" in an American document, it is either a spelling error or the document was written by someone using British English settings. Stick with "license" for all American writing.

Do I spell it differently if I am using it as a noun versus a verb?

No. In American English, "license" is spelled the same way whether you are talking about the document (noun) or the act of granting permission (verb). This is one of the advantages of American English spelling—it is simpler and more consistent than British English.

What if I am writing for a company that uses British English?

Then use "licence" for the noun and "license" for the verb, following British English rules. Make sure your spell-checker is set to British English so it does not flag your spelling as wrong. Ask your editor or style guide which version the organization prefers before you start writing.

Can I use both spellings in the same document?

No. Pick one spelling and use it consistently throughout. Mixing "license" and "licence" in the same document looks like careless writing, even if both versions are technically correct in their own English variants. Decide which audience you are writing for and match that spelling throughout.