|
| al·low [ ə lów ] (past and past participle al·lowed, present participle al·low·ing, 3rd person present singular al·lows) |
verb |
|
| Definition: |
| |
1. transitive verb let something happen: to permit something to happen or somebody to do something
  I can't allow you to throw this chance away.
He's allowed the toast to burn.
|
2. transitive verb let somebody enter or be present: to let somebody or something enter or be present in a place
Children are not allowed after nine o'clock.
|
3. transitive verb let somebody have something: to let somebody or yourself have something, often a benefit or pleasure of some kind
Allow yourself a few minutes to catch your breath.
|
4. transitive verb credit somebody money for something: to give or credit somebody with an amount of money as a discount or in exchange for something
How much will you allow on our old machine?
|
5. transitive and intransitive verb make provision for something: to take something into consideration or make provision for it when making a plan or decision
We allowed an extra 20 minutes but were still late.
allow for shrinkage
|
6. transitive verb admit something: to admit something or accept it to be true or valid
(
formal
)
You must allow that it was rather harsh.
|
7. intransitive verb present as possible: to present something as possible or reasonable
The events allow of only one interpretation.
|
8. transitive verb Southern U.S. say or think: to state or suppose
He allowed it was time to go.
|
| [14th century. Via Old French allouer< Latin allaudare "to praise" and medieval Latin allocare "assign" (see allocate)] |
|
| al·low·a·ble adjective |
| al·low·a·bly adverb |
| al·lowed adjective |
|
