Afford Definition

ə-fôrd

affords

verb

affords

To have the financial means for; bear the cost of.

Able to afford a new car.

American Heritage

To have enough or the means for; bear the cost of without serious inconvenience.

I'm not able to afford a car; can you afford the time?

Webster's New World

To manage to spare or give up.

Can't afford an hour for lunch.

American Heritage

To manage (to do something) without risking serious consequences.

I can afford to speak frankly.

Webster's New World

To manage or bear without disadvantage or risk to oneself.

Can afford to be tolerant.

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Origin of Afford

Middle English aforthen from Old English geforthian to carry out ge- perfective pref. yclept forthian to further (from forth forth, forward per¹ in Indo-European roots)

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From Old English aforthen, from Old English ġeforþian, forþian (“to further, accomplish, afford”), from forþ (“forth, forward”). The prefix ġe- has no well defined sense. See forth.

From Wiktionary