allowable

adjective

al·​low·​able ə-ˈlau̇-ə-bəl How to pronounce allowable (audio)
: permissible
allowable income tax deductions
allowably adverb

Examples of allowable in a Sentence

international travel without a passport isn't allowable
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In April, the state Supreme Court upheld it as an allowable use of the governor’s veto powers, which are considered the most expansive in the country. Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 15 Aug. 2025 One leak measured 31 times more than the allowable threshold, and another was 23 times the allowable threshold, the district said. Rick Hurd, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025 The allowable hours for construction work to take place will stay the same, but the City Council would like to require all construction sites to post a sign with a phone number on it that residents can call to file complaints about work happening on the site. Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 6 Aug. 2025 The list of allowable grounds includes malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, habitual drunkenness, incompetence, or permanent inability to perform official duties. Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for allowable

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of allowable was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Allowable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allowable. Accessed 31 Aug. 2025.

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