allowed; allowing; allows
Definition of allow
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
c : to express an opinion
—usually used with as how or that
1 : to make a possibility : admit —used with ofevidence that allows of only one conclusion
2 : to give consideration to circumstances or contingencies
—used with fora 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
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Time Traveler for allow
The first known use of allow was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century