afford
/ə'fɔ:d/
Definition
- Verb:
- To have the financial means to pay for something or to bear the cost of an action: To be able to do or buy something without causing financial hardship.
- To provide or supply something (an opportunity, a view, pleasure, etc.): To make something available or yield something as a natural result.
- To be able to do something without risking undesirable consequences: To have the ability to spare time, effort, or a resource for a particular purpose.
Usage and Examples
Financial Capability:
- We can't afford a new car this year. (We do not have enough money to buy one.)
- Can you afford to take a vacation? (Do you have the financial resources to pay for it?)
Providing or Yielding:
- The window affords a beautiful view of the garden. (The window provides or offers the view.)
- His position afforded him many privileges. (His position supplied or gave him privileges.)
Ability to Spare or Risk:
- I can't afford to waste any more time. (I do not have time to spare; wasting it would have negative consequences.)
- He couldn't afford to offend his boss. (The risk of offending his boss was too great.)
Advanced Usage
- "Afford an opportunity": To provide a chance.
- The conference afforded an opportunity to network with experts.
- "Afford insight into": To provide understanding about.
- The data affords valuable insight into consumer behavior.
Variants and Related Words
- Affordable (adj): Inexpensive; reasonably priced.
- They are looking for an affordable apartment.
- Unaffordable (adj): Too expensive to be paid for.
- Healthcare became unaffordable for many.
Synonyms
- Financial sense: Manage, bear the expense of.
- Provide sense: Offer, yield, furnish, give.
Phrasal Verbs
(This word is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. Its meanings are conveyed directly.)
Related Idioms
- "Can ill afford": To be in a situation where doing or losing something would be very difficult or damaging.
- The company can ill afford another financial setback.
Verb
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afford access to
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the door opens to the patio
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The French doors give onto a terrace
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have the financial means to do something or buy something
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We can't afford to send our children to college
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Can you afford this car?
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be the cause or source of
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He gave me a lot of trouble
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Our meeting afforded much interesting information
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be able to spare or give up
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I can't afford to spend two hours with this person
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