allow for

phrasal verb

allowed for; allowing for; allows for

1

: to think about or plan for (something that will or might happen in the future)

When purchasing property, the company should allow for possible future growth/expansion.

2

: to consider (something) when one makes a calculation

The total distance, allowing for detours, is about 10 miles.

If you allow for inflation, he's actually earning less money now than he was 10 years ago.

3

: to make (something) possible

The design of the system allows for easy upgrades.

Examples of allow for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These cues allow for near-instant handoffs from speaker to speaker—clocked at from 200-500 milliseconds, said MacLeitch in an email response to questions. —R. Daniel Foster, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

The mobile van allows for multiple trips to western county cities along with other areas. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2026

This approach allows for a lot of flexibility, personalization, creativity and opportunities to hone new skills in the kitchen. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Jan. 2026

The team cited the need for more time to process the events of the previous 24 hours, as well as allowing for more time to prepare extra security and safety measures in case demonstrations break out in and around the arena. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2026

Rhymes for allow for

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• blastopore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore