allow

[ uh-lou ]

verb (used with object)

1. to give permission to or for; permit:

   to allow a student to be absent;

   No swimming allowed.

   Antonyms: prohibit, forbid

2. to let have; give as one's share; grant as one's right:

   to allow a person $100 for expenses.

3. to permit by neglect, oversight, or the like:

   to allow a door to remain open.

4. to admit; acknowledge; concede:

   to allow a claim.

5. to take into consideration, as by adding or subtracting; set apart:

   to allow an hour for changing trains.

6. Older Use. to say; think.
7. Archaic. to approve; sanction.

verb (used without object)

1. to permit something to happen or to exist; admit (often followed by of ): a premise that allows of only one conclusion.

   to spend more than one's budget allows;

   a premise that allows of only one conclusion.

allow

/ əˈlaʊ /

verb

1. tr to permit (to do something); let
2. tr to set aside

   five hours were allowed to do the job

3. tr to let enter or stay

   they don't allow dogs

4. tr to acknowledge or concede (a point, claim, etc)
5. tr to let have; grant

   he was allowed few visitors

6. intrfoll byfor to take into account

   allow for delays

7. introften foll byof to permit; admit

   a question that allows of only one reply

8. dialect.
   tr; may take a clause as object to assert; maintain
9. archaic.
   tr to approve; accept

Other Words From

• preal·low verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of allow¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English alowen, from Anglo-French al(l)o(u)er “to place, allot, allow,” Old French aloer “to place,” from Late Latin allocāre; al-, locus; the older sense “approve, sanction” and Middle English sense “praise” probably by taking the Anglo-French verb as representing Medieval Latin, Latin adlaudāre “to praise”; ad-, laud

Word History and Origins

Origin of allow¹

C14: from Old French alouer, from Late Latin allaudāre to extol, influenced by Medieval Latin allocāre to assign, allocate

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. allow for, to make concession or provision for:

   to allow for breakage.

Example Sentences

At the beginning of the pandemic, the FDA took the unprecedented step of allowing companies like Legere’s to distribute antibody tests that were not authorized by the agency.

From ProPublica

The environmental group has also called on the administration to tighten the 2019 regulations on surface expressions, which explicitly allowed steam fracking.

From ProPublica

Memphis Rox also offers a pay-what-you-can cost structure that allows participants to offset normal gym fees with volunteer hours at the gym or a local charity.

From Outside Online

For the more ambitious, backpacking in the dunes and nearby mountains is also allowed—but by permit only.

From Outside Online

As one former employee put it, “they were HUGE cash cows” that allowed the network to lower costs paid to outside companies.

From ProPublica

This week, Florida became the 36th state to allow same-sex marriage.

From The Daily Beast

First, they allow Paul to siphon off attention from whichever potential candidate is making news.

From The Daily Beast

By contrast, a gun will allow a pilot to attack hostile forces that are less than 300 feet from friendly ground forces.

From The Daily Beast

Cover with plastic wrap and allow the dates to soften, about 15 minutes.

From The Daily Beast

Allow beans to cool completely then remove to a paper towel-lined plate to dry.

From The Daily Beast

This treacherous sort of calm, we thought, might forbode a storm, and we did not allow it to lull us into security.

From Project Gutenberg

I cannot believe that a good God would create or tolerate a Devil, nor that he would allow the Devil to tempt man.

From Project Gutenberg

I allow we shan't never set eyes on ter her, Jos. I've got jest thet feelin' abaout it.

From Project Gutenberg

It would not do to allow his son to do anything that would upset his dignity, though he loved him very much indeed.

From Project Gutenberg

I never see sech hosses; 'n' they're jest like kittens; they've ben drefful pets, I allow.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• approve
• authorize
• favor
• oblige
• recognize
• release
• support
• tolerate

When To Use

What are other ways to say allow?

To allow something is to give permission for it. How is allow different from permit and let? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.