al·low
(ə-loú)
[Middle English allouen, to approve, permit, from Old French alouer, from Latin allaudāre, to praise (ad-, intensive pref.; see ad–) (laudāre, to praise; see laud), and from Medieval Latin allocāre, to assign; see allocate.]
verb: -lowed, -low·ing, -lows.
transitive verb
- 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.
- Chiefly Southern & Midland U.S.
- 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.
intransitive verb
- 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.
derivatives
- al·loẃa·ble
- adjective
- al·loẃa·bly
- adverb
