allow

verb

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al·low | \ ə-ˈlau̇

allowed; allowing; allows

Definition of allow

transitive verb

1a : permit doesn't allow people to smoke in his home

b : to fail to restrain or prevent allow the dog to roam

2a : 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

3 : admit, concede must allow that money causes problems in marriage

4a chiefly Southern US and Midland US : to be of the opinion : think

b dialect : say, state

c : to express an opinion —usually used with as how or that

5 chiefly Southern US and Midland US : intend, plan

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 a plan that allows for expansion

3 : to give an opportunity : permit She worked on the project here and there as time allowed. This should take 5 minutes for 1 strength-cardio circuit combo. If time allows, repeat once more for a 10-minute workout or twice more for a 15-minute workout.— Tracy Teare This plan is being implemented in phases as funding allows. — Waterloo-Cedar Falls (Iowa) Courier

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing allow Learn More About allow

Examples of allow in a Sentence

a religion that does not allow divorce They don't allow smoking in this hotel. I want to change my schedule, but my boss won't allow it. My boss wouldn't allow me to change my schedule. They don't allow people to smoke in this hotel. Women were not allowed in the club. The hospital doesn't allow visitors after 8 p.m. Her schedule doesn't allow her any time to run errands. The system allows you to transfer data easily from one computer to another. Occasional gaps allow passage through the mountains. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Private schools that receive vouchers, don't allow us as taxpayers to see where those dollars are being used. — Renata Cló, The Arizona Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 Don't allow sunk costs to lead to future costs, either. — Lauren Phillips, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2022 Chace didn’t allow a run on his 74 pitches, giving up just two hits and a walk. — Andy Kostka, Baltimore Sun, 13 Sep. 2022 California previously did not allow an open water lifeguard to take a job at a local pool or aquatics center because each require different certifications. — Melody Gutierrez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2022 The judge didn't allow the testimony but scheduled another hearing for Sept. 21. — Jim Salter, ajc, 12 Sep. 2022 Auburn’s secondary can’t allow too many big plays when the competition gets more challenging. — al, 9 Sep. 2022 The most popular at-home genetic testing companies do not allow genetic genealogists to access their databases, and law enforcement can only pull a DNA profile with a warrant. — Fox News, 9 Sep. 2022 The Sun didn’t allow the Sky to score over the last 4:46, while finishing on an 18-0 run. — Nancy Armour, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'allow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for allow

Middle English alowen, allowen "to commend, approve of, legally recognize, permit, take into account, compensate," borrowed from Anglo-French aluer, aloer "to place, allot, commend, accept as legally valid, permit, take into account, assess," probably in part from a- (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + loer "to praise," going back to Latin laudāre; in part going back to Medieval Latin allocāre "to place, admit, credit" — more at laud entry 2, allocate