Allow Definition
ə-lou
allowed, allowing, allows
verb
allowed, allowing, allows
To let do or happen; permit.
We allow smoking only in restricted areas.
American Heritage
To let do, happen, etc.; permit; let.
We weren't allowed to go.
Webster's New World
To permit the presence of.
No pets are allowed inside.
American Heritage
To let have.
She allowed herself no sweets.
Webster's New World
To permit to have.
Allow oneself a little treat.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
idiom
allow for
- to make allowance, provision, etc. for; keep in mind
allow for the difference in their ages
Webster's New World
allow of
- to be subject to; admit of
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Allow
- allow for
- allow of
Origin of Allow
-
Middle English allouen to approve, permit from Old French alouer from Latin allaudāre to praise (ad- intensive pref. ad–) (laudāre to praise laud) and from Medieval Latin allocāre to assign allocate
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Middle English allouen, from Old French alouer , from Medieval Latin allaudāre, present active infinitive of allaudō, merged with alouer, from Medieval Latin allocō (“to assign”).
From Wiktionary
Find Similar Words
Find similar words to allow using the buttons below.