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 byof ): 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. to take into account

   allow for delays

7. 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 Word Forms

• preallow 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

Starting next year, Suno will roll out new advanced and licensed models to its generative-AI music platform, which allows users to create music based on simple descriptions, said Warner in a statement.

Read more on BBC

Under pressure, Caracas agreed to free American prisoners as Washington allowed Chevron to continue operations in the country with the world's biggest known oil reserves.

Read more on Barron's

Marine mammals need options that "allow them to retire with grace, with dignity, and with an environment where they can thrive," he said.

Read more on Barron's

The bottom line is, Maddie’s not going to be allowed to pursue a hot story.

Read more on Salon

When asked, however, many present acknowledged that the issue of Epstein was important to their constituents – and expressed hope that the vote would allow the party to return focus to other issues.

Read more on BBC

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.