Definition

1. Verb:
   • To allow or permit: To not prevent or forbid; to give permission for something to happen.
   • To cause to happen: To actively or passively enable an action or condition.
   • To rent out: To grant the use of property or land to someone in return for payment.

Usage

• Basic Permission: Use "let" to express permission, often followed by an object and a base verb (infinitive without "to").
  • She let her son stay up late.
  • Please let me help you.
• Causative Use: Use "let" to indicate causing or enabling a situation.
  • He let the cat out of the bag. (He caused the secret to be revealed.)
  • Don't let the soup boil.
• Renting Property: Use "let" (especially in British English) to mean renting out property.
  • They are letting their apartment for the summer.

Examples

• Permission:
  • My parents won't let me go to the concert.
  • The teacher let the students leave early.
• Causative:
  • I opened the window to let in some fresh air.
  • He accidentally let the dog escape.
• Renting:
  • The sign on the house says "To let."

Advanced Usage

• "Let alone": Used to emphasize that something is even less likely or possible than something else already mentioned.
  • He can't afford a car, let alone a house.
• "Let go": To release one's grip; to dismiss from a job; to stop thinking about something.
  • She finally let go of the past.
  • The company had to let go of 50 employees.
• "Let it be": To leave a situation as it is; to not interfere.
  • I know you're worried, but just let it be.
• "Let's" (Let us): Used to make a suggestion or proposal for a joint action.
  • Let's go for a walk.

Variants and Related Words

• Letting (n): The act of renting out property.
  • The letting of the office was handled by an agency.
• Lessee (n): A person who holds a lease; a tenant. (This is the person to whom property is .)

Synonyms

• Allow: To permit.
• Permit: To give authorization or consent.
• Enable: To make possible.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Let down: To disappoint someone; to lower something.
  • He promised to help but let me down.
• Let in: To allow to enter.
  • Please let me in; I forgot my key.
• Let off: To excuse from punishment; to fire or explode.
  • The judge let him off with a warning.
  • They let off fireworks at midnight.
• Let out: To allow to leave; to make a sound; to make clothing larger.
  • School lets out at 3 p.m.
  • She let out a scream.
• Let up: To diminish in intensity; to stop.
  • The rain finally let up.

Related Idioms

• Let the cat out of the bag: To reveal a secret, usually unintentionally.
  • I wasn't supposed to know about the party, but John let the cat out of the bag.
• Let sleeping dogs lie: To avoid interfering in a situation that could cause trouble if disturbed.
  • I decided not to mention the old argument and let sleeping dogs lie.
• Let one's hair down: To relax and behave informally.
  • After the exams, we all went out to let our hair down.
• Live and let live: To tolerate the opinions and behavior of others so that they will similarly tolerate your own.
  • I believe in a live and let live philosophy.

Noun

1. a serve that strikes the net before falling into the receiver's court; the ball must be served again
2. a brutal terrorist group active in Kashmir; fights against India with the goal of restoring Islamic rule of India
   • Lashkar-e-Toiba has committed mass murders of civilian Hindus

Verb

1. grant use or occupation of under a term of contract
   • I am leasing my country estate to some foreigners
2. leave unchanged
   • let it be
3. cause to move; cause to be in a certain position or condition
   • He got his squad on the ball
   • This let me in for a big surprise
   • He got a girl into trouble
4. consent to, give permission
   • She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband
   • I won't let the police search her basement
   • I cannot allow you to see your exam
5. actively cause something to happen
   • I let it be known that I was not interested
6. make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
   • This permits the water to rush in
   • This sealed door won't allow the water come into the basement
   • This will permit the rain to run off