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allow definition

al·low (ə lo̵u′)

transitive verb

  1. to let do, happen, etc.; permit; let we weren't allowed to go
  2. to let have she allowed herself no sweets
  3. to let enter or stay dogs are not allowed
  4. to admit (a claim or the like); acknowledge as true or valid
  5. to provide or allot (a certain amount, period of time, etc.) for a purpose allow an inch for shrinkage
  6. Dialectal
    1. to think; give as one's opinion
    2. to intend

Etymology: ME alowen < OFr alouer < ML allocare, allocate; assoc. with OFr alouer < L allaudare, to extol < ad-, to + laudare, to praise

allow Idioms

allow for

to make allowance, provision, etc. for; keep in mind allow for the difference in their ages

allow of

to be subject to; admit of

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

allow Synonyms

allow

v.

  1. To permit an action

    permit, let, sanction, grant, consent to, grant permission, give permission, suffer, tolerate, favor, be favorable to, agree to, yield, acquiesce, stand for, bear, privilege, accord, approve, approve of, give leave, accredit, endorse, certify, commission, humor, put no obstacles in the way of, gratify, have no objection, release, pass, indulge, be indulgent of, be permissive, oblige, authorize, license, warrant, empower, enable, entitle, put up with, brook, countenance, go along with, OK, leave*, give the green light*, give the go-ahead*, blink at*, give the reins to*, give free rein to*, grin and bear it*, leave the door open to*, hear of*, give one one's head*, give one leeway*, not blink an eye*, not bat an eye*; give carte blanche*, give a free hand*, let things take their course*, give one rope, give one line*, open the door to*, open the floodgates*.

    Antonyms deny*, forbid*, prohibit. *

  2. To grant a request or assertion

    recognize, concede, acknowledge, support; see admit 3.

  3. To include in an estimate

    provide, set aside, allot, concede, subtract, deduct, make allowance, give an allowance for, give at lower rates, add to, raise assessment.

allow and permit imply power or authority to give or deny consent, allow connoting a refraining from the enforcement of usual requirements honor students were allowed to miss the examinations, and permit more positively suggesting formal consent or authorization she was permitted to talk to the prisoner; let may imply positive consent but more often stresses the offering of no opposition or resistance, sometimes connoting negligence, lack of power, etc. don't let this happen again; suffer, now somewhat rare in this sense, is closely synonymous with allow and may connote passive consent or reluctant tolerance


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

allow Usage Examples

Object

  • user: The Europa search facility allows the user to refine the search processed or return to the original search form.

Preposition: on

  • premise: No-one including staff and visitors, is allowed on the premises if they have had an alcoholic drink that day.

Preposition: for

  • flexibility: Future prime numbers should be given meanings in as incremental a fashion as possible, to allow for flexibility and expressiveness in combining types.

Infinitive complement

  • continue: The construction of nuclear power stations should be allowed to continue on the basis of designs to reduce waste arising.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • up: Highly expandable, Venue allows up to 96 mic inputs to be mixed to 27 busses.
allow usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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"allow." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/allow>

APA Style

allow. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/allow

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