Pronunciations (2)
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/əˈlaʊ/
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əˈlaʊ
Verb
To let one have as a suitable share of something.
Usage- Ditransitive
- Examples
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to allow a servant his liberty; to allow a free passage; to allow one day for rest
More examples (1)
[…] he needed a great deal of money, but his uncle only allowed him two thousand roubles a year, which was not enough, and for days together he would run about Moscow with his tongue out, as the saying is.
To present something as possible or reasonable.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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The event allows of only one interpretation.
To permit, to give permission to.
Usage- catenative
- Transitive
- Examples
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I will allow my son to be absent.
More examples (1)
With fresh material, taxonomic conclusions are leavened by recognition that the material examined reflects the site it occupied; a herbarium packet gives one only a small fraction of the data desirable for sound conclusions. Herbarium material does not, indeed, allow one to extrapolate safely: what you see is what you get[…]
To not bar or obstruct.
- Examples
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Although I don't consent to their holding such meetings, I will allow them for the time being.
Smoking (is) allowed only in designated areas.
More examples (1)
The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives. And, as their ubiquity spreads, so too does the debate around whether we should allow ourselves to become so reliant on them – and who, if anyone, is policing their use.
To acknowledge, accept the truth of; to concede; to accede to an opinion; to say something one agrees on in the context of a larger disagreement or reluctance.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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to allow a right; to allow a claim; to allow an appeal
You must allow that disagreeing about politics puts a strain on a relationship.
More examples (4)
"Well, that rug does match the wallpaper," he allowed.
Mr. Knightley, I shall not allow you to be a fair judge in this case.
I allow, with Mrs. Grundy and most moralists, that Miss Newcome's conduct[…]was highly reprehensible.
Half the night passed before the wench allowed that it might be safe to stop.
To grant (something) as a deduction or an addition; especially to abate or deduct.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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to allow a sum for leakage
How much will you allow on my old jalopy?
To make an allowance, to take into account when making plans.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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When calculating a budget for a construction project, always allow for contingencies.
To render physically possible.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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The inlet allowed a facility to bring the money in a boat secretly and at night to the very foot of the hill.
More examples (1)
A “moving platform” scheme[…]is more technologically ambitious than maglev trains even though it relies on conventional rails. Local trains would use side-by-side rails to roll alongside intercity trains and allow passengers to switch trains by stepping through docking bays.
To praise; to approve of; hence, to sanction.
Usage- Obsolete
- Transitive
- Examples
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Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers
We commend his pains, condemn his pride, allow his life, approve his learning.
To sanction; to invest; to entrust.
Usage- Obsolete
- Examples
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More examples (1)
Therefore so please thee to return with us, And of our Athens—thine and ours—to take The captainship, thou shalt be met with thanks, Allow'd with absolute power, and thy good name Live with authority. So soon we shall drive back Of Alcibiades the approaches wild, Who, like a boar too savage, doth root up His country's peace.
To like; to be suited or pleased with.
Usage- Obsolete
- Transitive
- Examples
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How allow you the model of these clothes?
To decide (a request) in favour of the party who raised it; to grant victory to a party regarding (a request).
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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to allow an objection
to allow an appeal
To forgo bothering with, to let slide.
Usage- Multicultural-London-English
- Transitive
- Examples
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Easy on violence, now I doubt it I could’ve banged this face but allowed it
Verb
make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
- Examples
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This permits the water to rush in
This sealed door won't allow the water to come into the basement
More examples (1)
This will permit the rain to run off
consent to, give permission; permit
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Examples
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She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband
I won't let the police search her basement
More examples (1)
I cannot allow you to see your exam
let have
- Synonyms
- Antonyms
- Broader terms
- Examples
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grant permission
Mandela was allowed few visitors in prison
give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
- Examples
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I will earmark this money for your research
She sets aside time for meditation every day
make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain
- Examples
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This leaves no room for improvement
The evidence allows only one conclusion
More examples (3)
allow for mistakes
leave lots of time for the trip
This procedure provides for lots of leeway
allow or plan for a certain possibility; concede the truth or validity of something
- Synonyms
- Examples
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I allow for this possibility
The seamstress planned for 5% shrinkage after the first wash
afford possibility
- Synonyms
- Examples
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This problem admits of no solution
This short story allows of several different interpretations
allow the other (baseball) team to score
- Synonyms
- Examples
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give up a run
grant as a discount or in exchange
- Broader terms
- Examples
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The camera store owner allowed me $50 on my old camera
allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting
- Broader terms
- Examples
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We don't allow dogs here
Children are not permitted beyond this point
More examples (1)
We cannot tolerate smoking in the hospital