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

Miami’s skyline is rapidly changing, with a downtown skyscraper boom that was set in motion a decade ago after the Federal Aviation Authority began approving projects set at a new maximum allowable height of 1,049 feet. — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

If enough assets exist, both the outstanding principal and any allowable accrued interest may be paid before remaining assets are distributed to heirs. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 July 2026

The trucking company that Gonzalez-Companioni was driving for, Hope Trans LLC, has a history of drivers being repeatedly cited for exceeding the number of allowable hours on the road, the Star-Telegram previously reported. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2026

In 2016, during the period one of us (David Michaels) served as the assistant secretary of labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, the agency reduced the allowable level of workplace exposure to airborne silica dust. — David Michaels, Fortune, 21 June 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