Definition of "permissive" [per•mis•sive]

• Granting or inclined to grant permission; tolerant or lenient. (adjective)
• Permitting discretion; optional. (adjective)
• Archaic Not forbidden; permitted. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "I don't much care for the term 'permissive' in raising youngsters."
• "They believe and hope they're going into what they call permissive environment, but they are prepared for anything they say."
• "They believe it is what they call a permissive environment that the Lebanese will cause them, obviously, no problem."