allowable

American  

[uh-lou-uh-buhl] / əˈlaʊ ə bəl /

adjective

1. that may be allowed; legitimate; permissible.

   an allowable tax deduction.

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noun

1. something, as an action or amount, that is allowed.

2. Ecology. allowable cut.

allowable British  

/ əˈlaʊəbəl /

adjective

1. permissible; admissible

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Other Word Forms

• allowableness noun
• allowably adverb
• preallowable adjective
• preallowably adverb
• unallowable adjective

Etymology

Origin of allowable

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Middle French word alouable. See allow, -able

Example Sentences

In recent years, the allowable uses of 529s have expanded beyond higher education.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

Adding the firing squad in Arizona requires a constitutional amendment because the state’s constitution explicitly describes the sole methods of execution allowable for the state.

From Slate • Feb. 24, 2026

“We do not reduce the parent’s benefit amount because it is not part of the maximum allowable amount,” the Social Security Administration said.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 24, 2026

Utilities make money by earning a rate of return on their capital investments; if their allowable investments decline, their returns will, too.

From Barron's • Jan. 22, 2026

The house is obnoxiously huge, like the rest of the houses around it, built out to as close to the edge of the property line as allowable by law.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

Related Words

• acceptable
• admissible
• legal
• proper