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

Evolutionarily, these alternative sites may have been beneficial to soybeans and other plants because they allowed for increased complexity and adaptability under a limited genome.

From Science Daily

Israel’s stated goal in its war against Hezbollah is to allow the return of about 60,000 residents who have been displaced from communities in the country’s north because of the group’s attacks.

From BBC

In a preliminary decision, Ofwat said it would allow bill rises of 21% above inflation, which the shareholders did not accept.

From BBC

As now written, the proposed Citywide Housing Incentive program would enable developers to build more than currently allowed in commercial zones and in residential neighborhoods where apartment buildings are already allowed.

From Los Angeles Times

A new ending to “Popular” allows Grande to light up the screen, twirling and kicking to the finish line of one of the musical’s most adored cuts.

From Salon

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.