afford

af·ford

transitive verb \ə-ˈfȯrd\

Definition of AFFORD

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

Examples of AFFORD

1. We were too poor to afford a doctor.
2. He'll be able to afford a house next year.
3. Don't spend more than you can afford.
4. They couldn't afford new coats for the children.
5. We can afford waiting a while longer.
6. All of the rooms afford views of the lake.
7. He was afforded the opportunity to work for a judge.

Origin of AFFORD

Middle English aforthen, from Old English geforthian to carry out, from ge-, perfective prefix + forthian to carry out, from forth — more at co-, forth

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to AFFORD

Synonyms

go, swing

Related Words

cover; expend, finance, outlay, pay (for), pony up, spring (for); pick up, purchase, take; acquire, get, obtain, procure, secure; bid, offer; bankroll, endow, subsidize, underwrite

See Synonym Discussion at give

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