Allow Definition and Meaning
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on February 29, 2024
"Allow" means to give permission or make it possible for something to happen. e.g., The teacher will allow extra time for the test.
Table of Contents
Allow Definitions
Give Permission: Allow means to permit someone to do something.
My parents allow me to stay up late on weekends.
Acknowledge or Concede: Allow can mean acknowledging a point in an argument.
I allow that your argument has some merit.
Enable or Make Possible: Allow refers to making something possible.
This technique allows for more efficient work.
Admit as Valid: Allow can mean accepting something as reasonable or true.
The judge will allow the new evidence in the trial.
Allocate or Set Aside: Allow involves setting aside resources or time.
We should allow two hours for the meeting.
Account for in Calculation: Allow involves considering something in a calculation.
You need to allow for inflation when budgeting.
Legally Permit: Allow refers to permitting something by law or rule.
The city laws don't allow street vendors in this area.
Provide Opportunity: Allow implies providing a chance or opportunity.
The scholarship will allow her to attend college.
Tolerate or Accept: Allow means to tolerate or accept behavior.
Our teacher doesn't allow talking during the exam.
Grant Permission Electronically: Allow is used for granting digital permissions.
Clicking 'allow' grants the app access to your photos.
To let do or happen; permit
We allow smoking only in restricted areas.
To permit the presence of
No pets are allowed inside.
To permit to have
Allow oneself a little treat.
To make provision for; assign
The schedule allows time for a coffee break.
To plan for in case of need
Allow two inches in the fabric for shrinkage.
To grant as a discount or in exchange
Allowed me 20 dollars on my old typewriter.
To admit; concede
I allowed he was right.
To think; suppose
"We allow he's straight" (American Speech).
To assert; declare
Mother allowed that we'd better come in for dinner.
To offer a possibility; admit
The poem allows of several interpretations.
To take a possibility into account; make allowance
In calculating profit, retailers must allow for breakage and spoilage.
(transitive) To grant, give, admit, accord, afford, or yield; to let one have.
To allow a servant his liberty;
To allow a free passage;
To allow one day for rest
(transitive) To acknowledge; to accept as true; to concede; to accede to an opinion.
To allow a right;
To allow a claim;
To allow an appeal
To allow the truth of a proposition
(transitive) To grant (something) as a deduction or an addition; especially to abate or deduct.
To allow a sum for leakage.
(transitive) To grant license to; to permit; to consent to.
To allow a son to be absent.
Smoking allowed only in designated areas.
To not bar or obstruct.
Although I don't consent to their holding such meetings, I will allow them for the time being.
(transitive) To take into account by making an allowance.
When calculating a budget for a construction project, always allow for contingencies.
(transitive) To render physically possible.
To praise; to approve of; hence, to sanction.
(obsolete) To sanction; to invest; to entrust.
To like; to be suited or pleased with.
To decide (a request) in favour of the party who raised it; to grant victory to a party regarding (a request).
To allow an objection, to find in favour of the objection and forbid the conduct objected to; to allow an appeal, to decide the appeal in favour of the appellant (contrast grant leave to appeal, to permit an appeal to be heard).
To praise; to approve of; hence, to sanction.
Ye allow the deeds of your fathers.
We commend his pains, condemn his pride, allow his life, approve his learning.
To like; to be suited or pleased with.
How allow you the model of these clothes?
To sanction; to invest; to intrust.
Thou shalt be . . . allowed with absolute power.
To grant, give, admit, accord, afford, or yield; to let one have; as, to allow a servant his liberty; to allow a free passage; to allow one day for rest.
He was allowed about three hundred pounds a year.
To own or acknowledge; to accept as true; to concede; to accede to an opinion; as, to allow a right; to allow a claim; to allow the truth of a proposition.
I allow, with Mrs. Grundy and most moralists, that Miss Newcome's conduct . . . was highly reprehensible.
To grant (something) as a deduction or an addition; esp. to abate or deduct; as, to allow a sum for leakage.
To grant license to; to permit; to consent to; as, to allow a son to be absent.
To admit; to concede; to make allowance or abatement.
Allowing still for the different ways of making it.
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
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
Let have;
Grant permission
Mandela was allowed few visitors in prison
Give or assign a share of money or time to a particular person or cause;
I will earmark this money for your research
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
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
Afford possibility;
This problem admits of no solution
This short story allows of several different interpretations
Allow the other (baseball) team to score;
Give up a run
Grant as a discount or in exchange;
The camera store owner allowed me $50 on my old camera
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
Allow Snonyms
Admit
To allow entry.
The ticket admits one person to the concert.
Authorize
To give official permission.
She was authorized to access the confidential files.
Enable
To make possible or easy.
The scholarship enables him to attend college.
Empower
To give someone the authority or power to do something.
The new role empowers her to make decisions independently.
Permit
To give authorization or consent.
The city council permits the construction of a new park.
Grant
To agree to give or allow (something requested) to.
The foundation granted the funds for the research project.
Concede
To acknowledge as true, just, or proper; admit.
He conceded that the policy might need to be revised.
Approve
To officially agree to or accept as satisfactory.
The board approved the new development plan.
Sanction
To give official permission or approval for an action.
The government sanctioned the use of the new drug.
Consent
To agree to do or allow something.
She consented to the interview.
Allow Idioms & Phrases
Allow breathing room
To provide space or opportunity for freedom or relief.
The new schedule allows some breathing room for employees to take breaks.
Allow for error
To consider and accept the possibility of mistakes.
When planning the project timeline, we must allow for error.
Allow one's true colors to show
To enable someone to reveal their genuine personality or intentions.
The debate allowed her true colors to show.
Allow a glimpse
To provide a brief opportunity to see or understand something.
The documentary allows a glimpse into the lives of the artists.
Allow one's guard down
To become less vigilant or careful, making oneself vulnerable.
In the friendly environment, she felt she could allow her guard down.
Allow a window of opportunity
To provide a limited period during which action can be taken or success achieved.
The new investment allows a window of opportunity for the company to expand.
Allow the dust to settle
To wait for a situation to become clear or stable before taking action.
After the scandal, he decided to allow the dust to settle before making a public statement.
Allow room for growth
To provide opportunities or conditions for development and improvement.
The new policy allows room for growth in the company.
Allow the chips to fall where they may
To let things happen as they will without trying to control them.
After giving his best effort, he decided to allow the chips to fall where they may.
Allow a foot in the door
To provide an initial opportunity that could lead to further opportunities.
The internship allows a foot in the door for a career in the industry.
Allow a helping hand
To offer assistance or support.
In times of crisis, it's important to allow a helping hand to those in need.
Allow leeway
To give freedom or flexibility to someone in how they do something.
The teacher allows leeway in how the project is presented.
Allow a fresh pair of eyes
To have someone new examine or look at something to provide a different perspective.
Let's allow a fresh pair of eyes to review the manuscript for any errors.
Allow a say
To give someone the opportunity to express their opinion or participate in a decision.
The new council allows every member a say in the decision-making process.
Allow the scales to fall from one's eyes
To suddenly understand or realize the truth about something.
When he saw the evidence, it allowed the scales to fall from his eyes.
Allow one’s true self to shine
To enable one to show their genuine character or talents.
The talent show allows contestants' true selves to shine.
Allow the green light
To give permission or approval to proceed with something.
The city council finally allowed the green light for the new park project.
Allow free rein
To give someone complete freedom to do what they want.
The artist was allowed free rein over the mural design.
Allow the cat out of the bag
To reveal a secret or disclose something prematurely.
He accidentally allowed the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.
Allow the benefit of the doubt
To choose to believe someone's good intentions despite doubts.
Although her story seemed unlikely, he decided to allow the benefit of the doubt.
Allow Example Sentences
The software update will allow better security features.
Does your schedule allow time for a lunch break?
This ticket will allow you entry to the museum.
The rules allow each team three timeouts.
The game will allow players to create their characters.
The small window doesn't allow much light in.
The warm weather will allow us to go hiking.
The new policy doesn't allow pets in the building.
The fence will allow more privacy in the yard.
The new law will allow more people to vote.
Our budget doesn't allow for any more expenses.
The teacher didn't allow chewing gum in class.
Please allow a few days for delivery.
The agreement will allow for early termination.
His health condition doesn't allow him to travel.
Common Curiosities
What is a stressed syllable in allow?
The second syllable -low is the stressed syllable in allow.
How many syllables are in allow?
There are two syllables in allow.
What is the pronunciation of allow?
Allow is pronounced as /əˈlaʊ/.
What is the root word of allow?
The root word of allow is the Old French alouer.
What part of speech is allow?
Allow is a verb.
What is another term for allow?
Another term for allow is permit or authorize.
Why is it called allow?
Allow originates from the Old French word alouer, which means to praise or approve, and later evolved to mean giving permission in English.
What is the second form of allow?
The second form (past tense) of allow is allowed.
What is the third form of allow?
The third form (past participle) of allow is allowed.
How do we divide allow into syllables?
Allow is divided into syllables as al-low.
How is allow used in a sentence?
Example: The rules allow students to use calculators during the exam.
What is the first form of allow?
The first form of allow is allow.
What is the opposite of allow?
The opposite of allow could be prohibit or forbid.
Is allow a noun or adjective?
Allow is a verb; it is neither a noun nor an adjective.
What is the verb form of allow?
The verb form is to allow.
Is the word allow Gerund?
Allowing is the gerund form of the verb allow.
Is the word “allow” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
Allow as a verb can act on direct objects, e.g., She allowed the proposal.
What is the plural form of allow?
Allow does not have a plural form as it is a verb.
Is the allow term a metaphor?
Allow can be used metaphorically in various contexts.
Which determiner is used with allow?
Determiners are not typically used with the verb allow.
Which vowel is used before allow?
The choice of vowel before allow depends on the sentence; there's no specific rule.
What is the singular form of allow?
The singular form is allow.
Is allow an adverb?
Allow is not an adverb.
Is allow an abstract noun?
Allow is a verb, so it cannot be an abstract noun.
Is allow a negative or positive word?
Allow is neutral; its connotation depends on the context.
Is allow a vowel or consonant?
Allow is a word consisting of both vowels and consonants.
Is allow a countable noun?
Allow, being a verb, is not countable.
Which preposition is used with allow?
Prepositions like to or for can be used with allow.
Which conjunction is used with allow?
Conjunctions like and, but, or if can be used with allow.
Which article is used with allow?
Articles are not typically used with the verb allow.
Is allow a collective noun?
Allow is not a collective noun.
Is the word allow imperative?
Allow can be used in the imperative form, e.g., Allow him to explain.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
