adjective

permissive

per-MISS-iv/pərˈmɪsɪv/

Allowing freedom rather than imposing strict limits.

The permissive parent lets the child explore many paint colors freely.

A relaxed parent allows a child to paint freely on large paper spread across a protected floor, many colors and joyful exploration.

Etymology

perLatinthrough

+missLatinlet go, send

+iveLatintending to

The image of letting something go through underlies the earlier meaning “allowing to pass through.” This broadened into tolerance: a permissive person or policy lets people act with few restrictions.

In context

YaleCourses50:11

universities, for their students, have a more permissive rule. So we can take more than 10% from a book.

Lecture 1: Introduction to Power and Politics in Today’s World

More examples

The school takes a permissive approach to student clothing.
These permissive rules allow employees to work from anywhere.
Some parents think the coach is too permissive about missed practices.

Forms

permissive

permissiveness noun — The tendency to allow considerable freedom.

permissively adverb — In a way that allows considerable freedom.

Similar words

lenient: Emphasizes mild punishment or forgiving enforcement of rules.
tolerant: Emphasizes accepting differences or behavior one may not approve of.
liberal: Can describe broad freedoms rather than narrow restrictions.