First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
afford
verb af·ford \ə-ˈfȯrd\
: to be able to pay for (something)
: to be able to do (something) without having problems or being seriously harmed
: to supply or provide (something needed or wanted) to someone
Full Definition of AFFORD
transitive verb
1
a : to manage to bear without serious detriment <you can't afford to neglect your health> b : to be able to bear the cost of <can't afford to be out of work long>
2
: to make available, give forth, or provide naturally or inevitably <the sun affords warmth to the earth>
— af·ford·abil·i·ty \-ˌfȯr-də-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun
— af·ford·able \-ˈfȯr-də-bəl\ adjective
— af·ford·ably \ə-ˈfȯr-də-blē\ adverb
See afford defined for English-language learners
See afford defined for kids
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Origin of AFFORD
Synonym Discussion of AFFORD
give, present, donate, bestow, confer, afford mean to convey to another as a possession. give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means <give alms> <gave her a ride on a pony> <give my love to your mother>. present carries a note of formality and ceremony <present an award>. donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity) <donate a piano to the orphanage>. bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver <bestow unwanted advice>. confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor) <confer an honorary degree>. afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver <the trees afford shade> <a development that affords us some hope>.
Rhymes with AFFORD
aboard, accord, award, backboard, backsword, bargeboard, baseboard, billboard, blackboard, boxboard, breadboard, broadsword, buckboard, cardboard, chalkboard, chessboard, chipboard, clapboard, clipboard, concord, corkboard, dashboard, discord, draft board, duckboard, face cord, fjord, flashboard, floorboard, footboard, freeboard, greensward, hardboard, headboard, inboard, keyboard, kickboard, landlord, lapboard, leeboard, matchboard, moldboard, nerve cord, onboard, on board, outboard, packboard, pasteboard, patchboard, patch cord, Peg-Board, pressboard, punchboard, rearward, record, reward, sailboard, scoreboard, seaboard, shipboard, sideboard, signboard, skateboard, slumlord, smallsword, snowboard, soundboard, splashboard, springboard, surfboard, switchboard, tailboard, tote board, untoward, wakeboard, wallboard, warlord, washboard, whiteboard, whipcord, word-hoard
AFFORDABLE Defined for Kids
afford
verb af·ford \ə-ˈfȯrd\
af·ford·edaf·ford·ing
Definition of AFFORD for Kids
1
: to be able to do or bear without serious harm <You cannot afford to waste your strength.>
2
: to be able to pay for <I can't afford a new car.>
3
: to supply or provide someone with <Tennis affords good exercise.>
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