Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

artistic licence

noun

/ɑːrˈtɪstɪk ˈlaɪsəns/

Definition

The freedom to deviate from fact or rules to create a desired effect in art.

Examples

The director took artistic licence by altering the historical events for dramatic effect.
Many painters use artistic licence to dramatize their subjects, making them more expressive.
The author exercised artistic licence, inventing characters that did not exist in the real story.

Meaning

Artistic licence allows creators such as artists, writers, and filmmakers to modify facts or rules to enhance their work, emphasizing creativity over strict adherence to reality.