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

She was escorted to the recreation area for late-night workouts, and was allowed to shower after other inmates were confined to their bunks at 8 p.m.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"I will not allow the Democrats to hold our Military, and the entire Security of our Nation, HOSTAGE, with their dangerous Government Shutdown," he wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Read more on Barron's

The appellate decision allows the deployment of troops to remain paused until the court can hear further arguments.

Read more on Barron's

In a similar case challenging Bovino’s approach in Los Angeles, the Supreme Court allowed his operation to continue while the lawsuit proceeds.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Their attacking, disciplined defense forced another turnover and stifled Michigan State after allowing the Spartans to score a touchdown on their opening drive.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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.