First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
allow
verb al·low \ə-ˈlau̇\
: to permit (something) : to regard or treat (something) as acceptable
: to permit (someone) to have or do something
: to permit (someone) to go or come in, out, etc.
Full Definition of ALLOW
transitive verb
1
a : to assign as a share or suitable amount (as of time or money) <allow an hour for lunch> b : to reckon as a deduction or an addition <allow a gallon for leakage>
2
5
a : permit <doesn't allow people to smoke in his home> b : to forbear or neglect to restrain or prevent <allow the dog to roam>
intransitive verb
1
: to make a possibility : admit —used with of <evidence that allows of only one conclusion>
2
: to give consideration to circumstances or contingencies —used with for <allow for expansion>
See allow defined for English-language learners
See allow defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of ALLOW
Middle English, from Anglo-French aluer, alouer to place, apportion, allow, from Middle French allocare — more at allocate
Related to ALLOW
Rhymes with ALLOW
Aargau, and how, ant cow, as how, avow, Belau, Bissau, bowwow, Breslau, cacao, cahow, Callao, cash cow, chowchow, chow chow, Cracow, Dachau, Davao, Donau, endow, enow, erenow, eyebrow, gangplow, Hankow, hausfrau, haymow, highbrow, hoosegow, jiao, Jungfrau, know-how, kowtow, Kraków, landau, lowbrow, luau, Lucknow, Macao, mau-mau, meow, Moscow, nohow, Palau, powwow, sea cow, snowplow, somehow, Spandau, Zwickau
ALLOW Defined for Kids
allow
verb al·low \ə-ˈlau̇\
al·lowedal·low·ing
Definition of ALLOW for Kids
1
: to give permission to <Mom allowed us to stay up late.>
2
: to fail to prevent <Don't allow the dog to roam.>
3
: to assign as a share or suitable amount (as of time or money) <Our parents allowed us each five dollars to spend.>
4
: to accept as true : concede <I'm willing to allow that he may be right.>
5
: to consider when making a decision or a calculation <Our plans didn't allow for the possibility of rain.>
6
: to make it possible to have or do something <Your shoes should be big enough to allow for growth.>
Learn More About ALLOW
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: allowabilityPrevious Word in the Dictionary: all–overishAll Words Near: allow
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up allow? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).