Definition

1. Verb:
   • To give permission for something to happen or for someone to do something: To permit or authorize an action or behavior.
   • To admit or acknowledge the truth or existence of something: To concede or accept that something is the case.
   • To provide or set aside a specific amount, especially of time, money, or resources: To allocate or make provision for something.
   • To make something possible or provide an opportunity for it: To enable or afford a possibility.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The teacher will allow students to use calculators on the test. (Permission)
  • We must allow that the situation is more complex than we thought. (Acknowledgment)
  • The budget allows $500 for office supplies. (Provision/Allocation)
  • The new software allows for greater efficiency. (Making possible)

Advanced Usage

• "To allow for": To take into consideration; to make a plan or calculation that includes a particular factor.
  • You should allow for traffic delays when planning your trip to the airport.
• "To allow of": (Formal) To permit or admit something as a possibility. Often used with abstract nouns.
  • The rules do not allow of any exceptions.
• "Allow me": A polite phrase used to offer assistance or to perform an action for someone.
  • Allow me to open the door for you.

Variants and Related Words

• Allowable (adj): Permissible, acceptable.
  • The use of personal devices is not allowable in the secure area.
• Allowance (n): An amount of something that is permitted or allocated; a regular payment.
  • She receives a monthly allowance for expenses.

Synonyms

• Permit: To give authorization or consent.
• Let: To not prevent or forbid.
• Authorize: To give official permission.
• Grant: To agree to give or allow.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Allow in/into: To give permission for someone or something to enter a place.
  • Dogs are not allowed into the restaurant.
• Allow out: To give permission for someone to leave a place.
  • The prisoners are allowed out into the yard for one hour a day.
• Allow through: To give permission for someone or something to pass.
  • The guard allowed the official vehicles through the checkpoint.

Related Idioms

• Allow nature to take its course: To not interfere with a natural process.
  • The doctor advised us to allow nature to take its course and let the fever break on its own.
• Allow someone a free hand: To give someone complete freedom to act as they wish.
  • The manager allowed her team a free hand in designing the new project.

Verb

1. allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting
   • We don't allow dogs here
   • Children are not permitted beyond this point
   • We cannot tolerate smoking in the hospital
2. grant as a discount or in exchange
   • The camera store owner allowed me $50 on my old camera
3. allow the other (baseball) team to score
   • give up a run
4. afford possibility
   • This problem admits of no solution
   • This short story allows of several different interpretations
5. allow or plan for a certain possibility; concede the truth or validity of something
   • I allow for this possibility
   • The seamstress planned for 5% shrinkage after the first wash
6. make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain
   • This leaves no room for improvement
   • The evidence allows only one conclusion
   • allow for mistakes
   • leave lots of time for the trip
   • This procedure provides for lots of leeway
7. give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
   • I will earmark this money for your research
   • She sets aside time for meditation every day
8. let have
   • grant permission
   • Mandela was allowed few visitors in prison
9. 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
10. 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