allow Hear it!

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

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

allow Usage Examples

Object

  • user: The Europa search facility allows the user to refine the search processed or return to the original search form.
  • access: The schedule of delivery allows access to all modules through a range of pathways over any three-year period.
  • student: It's about allowing the students ' lives to impact on us.
  • flexibility: The package is made up of three different levels, allowing complete flexibility in terms of investment.
  • comparison: A number of Brünnich's Guillemot were quickly located at close range on the cliff above, allowing easy comparison with accompanying Northern Guillemots.
  • visitor: From the 1st of April 2006, an entrance ticket to The Tank Museum will allow visitors unlimited return visits for a year.

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.
  • inflation: The telecoms budget is set using previous usage plus a percentage uplift to allow for inflation and increased usage.
  • comparison: They allow for easy comparison but may be insufficient as the basis for a comprehensive assessment of the project.
  • creation: The IP uses an interactive program that allows for the creation of aromas by mixing sixteen separate ingredients in 1 % increments.
  • delay: Please allow for any delay in us responding to your application.
  • plenty: This endemic cotinga has proved a little tricky to find this year apparently so we allow for plenty of opportunities to find it.

Infinitive complement

  • continue: The construction of nuclear power stations should be allowed to continue on the basis of designs to reduce waste arising.
  • cool: Allow to cool slightly, then blend in small amounts in a liquidizer goblet.
  • stay: The longer parents are here the better chance they have of being allowed to stay.
  • dry: Allow to dry then place in normal black sack waste, securely packaged.
  • enter: In those days, three swimmers from each country were allowed to enter the Olympic swimming events.
  • stand: The emulsion thus formed is allowed to stand for ten minutes with occasional stirring.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • up: Highly expandable, Venue allows up to 96 mic inputs to be mixed to 27 busses.

Browse dictionary entries near allow

  1. ‹ allover
  2. ‹ allotype
  3. ‹ allottee
  4. ‹ allotropy
  5. ‹ allotropic
  6. ‹ allotrope
  7. ‹ allotment
  8. ‹ allot
  9. ‹ allosteric
  10. ‹ allosaurus
  1. allow for ›
  2. allowable ›
  3. allowance ›
  4. allowance method ›
  5. allowedly ›
  6. alloy ›
  7. allseed ›
  8. allsorts ›
  9. allspice ›
  10. allude ›