Main Entry:

af·ford

Pronunciation:

\ə-ˈfȯrd\

Function:

transitive verb

Etymology:

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

Date:

14th century

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>

synonyms see give

— 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