afford

[uh-fawrd]

verb (used with object)

1. to be able to do, manage, or bear without serious consequence or adverse effect.

   The country can't afford another drought.

2. to be able to meet the expense of; have or be able to spare the price of.

   Can we afford a trip to Europe this year? The city can easily afford to repair the street.

3. to be able to give or spare.

   He can't afford the loss of a day.

4. to furnish; supply.

   The transaction afforded him a good profit.

5. to be capable of yielding or providing.

   The records afford no explanation.

6. to give or confer upon.

   to afford great pleasure to someone.

afford

/ əˈfɔːd /

verb

1. to be able to do or spare something, esp without incurring financial difficulties or without risk of undesirable consequences

   we can afford to buy a small house

   I can afford to give you one of my chess sets

   we can't afford to miss this play

2. to give, yield, or supply

   the meeting afforded much useful information

Other Word Forms

• affordability noun
• affordable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of afford¹

First recorded before 1050; Middle English aforthen, iforthen, Old English geforthian “to further, accomplish,” equivalent to ge- y- + forth forth + -ian infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of afford¹

Old English geforthian to further, promote, from forth _forth ; the Old English prefix ge- was later reduced to a-, and the modern spelling (C16) is influenced by words beginning aff-

Example Sentences

While the world’s richest man might have breathed a sigh of relief after his Starship rocket completed a stellar launch last month, Elon Musk can’t afford to celebrate just yet.

From Los Angeles Times

Alongside the Spanish colonial homes, the scene is a picturesque look into wealth, opulence and superfluity that only a select few Angelenos can afford.

From Los Angeles Times

Arsenal have lost on their past three visits but even a draw might not help them much this time, because they cannot afford to fall any further behind Liverpool at the top of the table.

From BBC

Ms George who lives in Abbeydale, Gloucester says she does not buy as much meat any more because she "just can't afford it" and worries she'll soon be living on a diet of "just vegetables".

From BBC

Alma, however, insists on absolute clarity, a transparency she’s not afforded.

From Salon

Related Words

• grant 
• offer 
• provide