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

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

Over the weekend, he threatened to raise the tariffs to the maximum level allowable under the law of 15%.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

The new duty by law is only temporary -- allowable for 150 days.

From Barron's • Feb. 21, 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