afford

[ uh-fawrd ]

verb (used with object)

1. to be able to do, manage, or bear without serious consequence or adverse effect:

   The country can't afford another drought.

2. to be able to meet the expense of; have or be able to spare the price of:

   Can we afford a trip to Europe this year? The city can easily afford to repair the street.

3. to be able to give or spare:

   He can't afford the loss of a day.

4. to furnish; supply:

   The transaction afforded him a good profit.

5. to be capable of yielding or providing:

   The records afford no explanation.

6. to give or confer upon:

   to afford great pleasure to someone.

afford

/ əˈfɔːd /

verb

1. preceded bycan, could, etc to be able to do or spare something, esp without incurring financial difficulties or without risk of undesirable consequences

   I can afford to give you one of my chess sets

   we can't afford to miss this play

   we can afford to buy a small house

2. to give, yield, or supply

   the meeting afforded much useful information

Derived Forms

• afˌfordaˈbility, noun
• afˈfordable, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of afford¹

First recorded before 1050; Middle English aforthen, iforthen, Old English geforthian “to further, accomplish,” equivalent to ge- y- + forth forth + -ian infinitive suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of afford¹

Old English geforthian to further, promote, from forth forth ; the Old English prefix ge- was later reduced to a-, and the modern spelling (C16) is influenced by words beginning aff-

Example Sentences

To afford an out-of-state abortion, she and her partner had to take out a loan and borrow from their loved ones.

From Slate

That’s two votes that area already iffy; Trump cannot afford to lose two more.

From Salon

Lives with her father because she can’t afford her own spot.

From Los Angeles Times

Those residents would also typically receive expanded relocation assistance to help them afford rent in a market rate unit for 42 months, the average time it takes to build a new apartment building, according to the city, which estimates payments could surpass $100,000 for such households.

From Los Angeles Times

What kinds of tenants have been able to afford these fees?

From Salon

Related Words

• grant
• offer
• provide