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

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

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