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 by of ): 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. intrfoll byfor to take into account

   allow for delays

7. introften foll byof 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 Words From

• preal·low 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

Ancient DNA provides a direct look at the genomes of individuals who lived closer in time to these events, allowing researchers to observe evolutionary changes before they were lost.

From Science Daily

But it allows the protein to be iteratively optimized.

From Science Daily

House Speaker Mike Johnson argued against releasing a House ethics report on the allegations against Gaetz, while high-ranking Texas Sen. John Cornyn demanded his chamber be allowed to read it before a vote.

From Salon

Chief executive Jenny Mollica said Greater Manchester was “a region of limitless creative possibilities”, which would allow the company to “explore new visions for the future of opera”.

From BBC

It allowed Tottenham to repeatedly drive through open spaces and score almost at will.

From 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.