allow

(ə-louˈ)

1. To let do or happen; permit: We allow smoking only in restricted areas.
2. To permit the presence of: No pets are allowed inside.
3. To permit to have: allow oneself a little treat.
4. To make provision for; assign: The schedule allows time for a coffee break.
5. To plan for in case of need: allow two inches in the fabric for shrinkage.
6. To grant as a discount or in exchange: allowed me 20 dollars on my old typewriter.
7. Chiefly Southern & Midland U.S.
   a. To admit; concede: I allowed he was right.
   b. To think; suppose: “We allow he's straight” (American Speech).
   c. To assert; declare: Mother allowed that we'd better come in for dinner.

1. To offer a possibility; admit: The poem allows of several interpretations.
2. To take a possibility into account; make allowance: In calculating profit, retailers must allow for breakage and spoilage.

Related Forms:

• al·lowˈa·ble adjective

• al·lowˈa·bly adverb