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

A 40-year friendship between Osborne and Mr. Rea followed, one that allowed the writer to travel the world as part of the singer’s inner circle.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Players now are allowed to make money from brand endorsements and share in schools’ athletic revenue.

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The court has allowed the president to terminate government contracts for spurious and often retaliatory reasons.

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“The other banks responsible for allowing Epstein’s trafficking should have contacted us during the previous litigation to do the right thing for these victims,” Edwards said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

This next phase will allow researchers to capture the full spectrum of human variability -- an essential step toward developing therapies that are more effective, inclusive, and personalized.

Read more on Science Daily

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.