allowable

adjective

al·​low·​able ə-ˈlau̇-ə-bəl 

: permissible

allowable income tax deductions

allowably

ə-ˈlau̇-ə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of allowable

• acceptable
• permissible
• permitted
• admissible
• legal

Examples of allowable in a Sentence

international travel without a passport isn't allowable

Recent Examples on the Web

These systems tend to operate within a tight, allowable set of actions, where the system is restricted by deterministic, hard logic, outside of the AI's decision making. — Anthony Spadaro, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

For one, that ‘allowable income’ denominator includes not just a club’s standard turnover but also its ‘allowable P&M (players and manager) trading amount’ and its ‘allowable equity injection’. — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026

In 2022, Alameda County voters amended Measure D to increase the allowable size of agricultural buildings and covered equestrian arenas relative to the surrounding parcel. — Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026

Although Messi and De Paul could have taken the allowable 21 days off following the World Cup, per FIFA rules, Messi returned to the Inter Miami training grounds on Wednesday. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alowable, allowable "proper, admissible," borrowed from Anglo-French alouable, from aluer, aloer "to accept as legally valid, permit" + -able -able — more at allow

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for allowable

• unallowable