allowable

[ uh-lou-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. that may be allowed; legitimate; permissible:

   an allowable tax deduction.

noun

1. something, as an action or amount, that is allowed.
2. Ecology. allowable cut.

allowable

/ əˈlaʊəbəl /

adjective

1. permissible; admissible

Derived Forms

• alˈlowably, adverb

Other Words From

• al·lowa·ble·ness noun
• al·lowa·bly adverb
• preal·lowa·ble adjective
• preal·lowa·bly adverb
• unal·lowa·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of allowable¹

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

Example Sentences

The 600 mSv figure is based on what the maximum allowable exposure might be for a 35-year-old woman.

From MIT Technology Review

At the same time, allowable fines for some felony charges could exceed $75,000 — as in Hodgkins’s case — a more draconian scenario for defendants.

From Washington Post

Maximum allowable line speeds, he reported, have doubled since 1979 with workers averaging 35 to 45 birds per minute.

From Washington Post

At the same time, we are putting sewage into the river, and that’s not really allowable either.

From MIT Technology Review

Student mental health is also a point of concern, and one that has not been tackled by many so far, even though aid spending on such programs is allowable.

From Voice of San Diego

For example, Kuwait recently put a limit the allowable amount of sodium in bread to lower blood pressure.

From The Daily Beast

Government officials have no allowable reasons for withholding critical data from lawmakers.

From The Daily Beast

True, approximately 180 Nazis got the maximum sentence—life in prison—allowable under German law.

From The Daily Beast

Infinity Broadcasting Operations was fined a total of $357,500 by the FCC, the maximum allowable amount.

From The Daily Beast

So the accountants had to go back, recalculate, and choose not to take nearly two million dollars in allowable deductions.

From The Daily Beast

It is, of course, allowable towards those who take a decidedly responsible and confidential situation in a household.

From Project Gutenberg

Under these peculiar circumstances it might have been allowable to postpone the journey till the morning.

From Project Gutenberg

A meerschaum or a wooden pipe is then allowable, but never a clay or a dudeen.

From Project Gutenberg

Salt is the condiment to use with them, but sugar is allowable.

From Project Gutenberg

It is allowable to eat it with your fingers, as I have said, in private.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• acceptable
• admissible
• legal
• proper