The correct spelling in American English is "license"

In the United States, license is spelled with an "s" in the middle: L-I-C-E-N-S-E. This is the spelling you'll see on your driver's license, business license, and software license. If you're writing for an American audience or using American English settings, this is the version to use.

The confusion usually comes from British English, where the same word is spelled differently depending on whether it's a noun or a verb. Understanding which version applies to your situation will help you avoid spelling mistakes in documents, forms, and professional writing.

Key Takeaways

  • American English uses "license" for both the noun (the document) and the verb (to grant permission).
  • British English spells the noun as "licence" and the verb as "license," which reverses the American pattern.
  • Your computer's spell-checker will flag the "wrong" spelling based on its language setting, so check your software's region before trusting the red underline.
  • When in doubt, match the spelling to your audience's location — American readers expect "license," British readers expect "licence" for the noun.

American English: one spelling for both noun and verb

In American English, license (with an "s") works as both a noun and a verb. When you talk about your driver's license, you're using the noun form. When a company licenses software to you, that's the verb form. Both use the same spelling.

This is the standard across the United States, Canada, and most of the English-speaking world outside the UK and Commonwealth countries. If you're writing for a U.S. audience, on a U.S. website, or submitting to an American publication, "license" is always correct.

British English: "licence" for the noun, "license" for the verb

In British English, the spelling splits by part of speech. The noun — the actual document or permission — is spelled licence with a "c". The verb — the action of granting that permission — is spelled license with an "s".

This pattern mirrors other British words like "practice" (noun) versus "practise" (verb), and "advice" (noun) versus "advise" (verb). If you're writing for a British, Australian, or New Zealand audience, you'll need to pay attention to whether you're using the word as a noun or verb.

Why your spell-checker might disagree with you

Most word processors and online tools let you choose your English variant in the settings. Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and most email clients have a language option — usually found in Settings, Preferences, or Tools. If your spell-checker is set to "English (United States)," it will accept "license" and flag "licence" as wrong. If it's set to "English (UK)," the opposite happens.

The red underline doesn't mean you're spelling it wrong — it means your software is set to a different English variant than the one you're using. Check your settings before you second-guess yourself. If you're working with someone in another country, it's worth confirming which version they expect.

Common places you'll encounter this word

You'll see "license" on official documents like driver's licenses, professional licenses, and business licenses. Software companies use it in license agreements. Landlords and property managers reference it in rental documents. In all these American contexts, the spelling is always "license" with an "s".

If you're reading British publications, official UK documents, or communicating with someone in the UK, you may see "licence" for the noun form. Knowing the difference helps you understand that both versions are correct — they're just following different regional rules.

How to remember which spelling to use

A simple memory trick: in American English, there's only one spelling, so there's nothing to remember. Just use "license" every time. If you're writing for British English, remember that the noun "licence" has a "c" like the word "document" — both are things you hold. The verb "license" has an "s" like "permit" — both are actions.

Another approach: check what your audience uses. If you're writing an email to someone in London, look at how they spell it in their previous messages. If you're submitting to a publication, check their style guide or past articles. Matching your audience's convention shows attention to detail and makes your writing easier to read for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is one spelling more correct than the other?

No. Both are correct within their own English variants. American English uses "license" for everything. British English uses "licence" for the noun and "license" for the verb. Neither is objectively right — they're just different regional standards, like how Americans say "elevator" and British speakers say "lift."

What should I do if I'm writing for an international audience?

Choose one variant and stick with it throughout your document. American English is often the default for international business and technology writing, so "license" (with an "s") is usually the safest choice. If you're unsure, ask your editor or the person requesting the document which version they prefer.

Does it matter which spelling I use on a form or official document?

Check the form itself. Government forms, license applications, and official documents are usually already spelled correctly for their region. If you're filling out a U.S. form, use "license." If it's a UK form, follow what's printed on the form. Don't change the spelling to match your preference — match the document's own language.

Why does British English have two different spellings?

British English inherited this pattern from French, where similar words split by part of speech. Over time, American English simplified the rule to one spelling for both uses. Both systems work fine — they're just historical choices that stuck around in each region.