allowance

[uh-lou-uhns]

noun

1. the act of allowing.

2. an amount or share allotted or granted.

   Synonyms: allotment

3. a sum of money allotted or granted for a particular purpose, as for expenses.

   Her allowance for the business trip was $200.

4. a sum of money allotted or granted to a person on a regular basis, as for personal or general living expenses.

   The art student lived on an allowance of $600 a month.

   When I was in first grade, my parents gave me an allowance of seven dollars a week.

   Synonyms: stipend

5. an addition or deduction based on an extenuating or qualifying circumstance.

   an allowance for profit;

   an allowance for depreciation.

6. acknowledgment; concession.

   the allowance of a claim.

7. passive permission resulting from lack of interference; toleration.

   the allowance of slavery.

   Synonyms: sufferance, permission, acceptance
   Antonyms: proscription, prohibition, interdiction

8. Machinery.,  a prescribed difference in dimensions of two closely fitting mating parts with regard to minimum clearance or maximum interference.

9. Coining.,  tolerance.

verb (used with object)

allowanced, allowancing 

1. to place on a fixed allowance, as of food or drink.

2. to allocate (supplies, rations, etc.) in fixed or regular amounts.

allowance

/ əˈlaʊəns /

noun

1. an amount of something, esp money or food, given or allotted usually at regular intervals

2. a discount, as in consideration for something given in part exchange or to increase business; rebate

3. (in Britain) an amount of a person's income that is not subject to a particular tax and is therefore deducted before his or her liability to taxation is assessed

4. a portion set aside to compensate for something or to cover special expenses

5. education a salary supplement given to a teacher who is appointed to undertake extra duties and responsibilities

6. admission; concession

7. the act of allowing; sanction; toleration

8. something allowed

9. (usually foll by for)

   1. to take mitigating circumstances into account in consideration (of)

   2. to allow (for)

verb

1. (tr) to supply (something) in limited amounts

Other Word Forms

• preallowance noun
• superallowance noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of allowance¹

1350–1400; Middle English alouance < Middle French. See allow, -ance

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. make allowance / allowances (for),

   1. to take mitigating factors or circumstances into consideration.

   2. to pardon; excuse.

   3. to reserve time, money, etc.; allow for.

      Make allowance for souvenirs on the return trip.

see make allowance.

Example Sentences

The amount of money people take home in their pay packet is set to go up, as personal income tax allowances could increase by £600 to £15,200.

Read more on BBC

The government is defending the case, saying it acted within its powers and that the constitution makes allowances for it to reach such agreements with foreign governments.

Read more on BBC

A spokesperson said "service children can face frequent moves" and the allowance "aims to minimise disruption to their education".

Read more on BBC

It comes after ministers were forced into U-turns on cutting the winter fuel allowance and some elements of universal credit after a backbench rebellion of Labour MPs.

Read more on BBC

Once he decided to adopt the horse, he received instructions on how to feed Maverick along with a monthly allowance to care and feed the horse.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• aid 
• alimony 
• allocation 
• allotment 
• annuity 
• contribution 
• fee 
• gift 
• grant 
• pension 
• quota 
• ration 
• salary 
• scholarship 
• stipend 
• subsidy 
• wage