Word finder Dictionaryallow

ENGLISH THESAURUS & DICTIONARY

allow

verb

Words like allow

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Related words aren’t always interchangeable. Check the definition before you choose.

MEANING & USAGE

Definitions & examples

01verb

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 to come into the basement”

02verb

consent to, give permission; permit

“She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband”

“I won't let the police search her basement”

03verb

let have

“grant permission”

“Mandela was allowed few visitors in prison”

04verb

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”

6 more meanings

05verb

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”

06verb

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”

07verb

afford possibility

“This problem admits of no solution”

“This short story allows of several different interpretations”

08verb

allow the other (baseball) team to score

“give up a run”

09verb

grant as a discount or in exchange

“The camera store owner allowed me $50 on my old camera”

10verb

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”

Meanings and examples from Open English WordNet 2025. About our sources ↗

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Expressions with “allow”

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