allow

verb

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al·low | \ ə-ˈlau̇

allowed; allowing; allows

Definition of allow

transitive verb

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

3 : admit, concede must allow that money causes problems in marriage

4a chiefly Southern US and Midland US : to be of the opinion : think

b dialect : say, state

c : to express an opinion —usually used with as how or that

5 chiefly Southern US and Midland US : intend, plan

intransitive verb

1 : to make a possibility : admit —used with of evidence that allows of only one conclusion

2 : to give consideration to circumstances or contingencies —used with for a 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

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing allow Learn More About allow

Examples of allow in a Sentence

a religion that does not allow divorce They don't allow smoking in this hotel. I want to change my schedule, but my boss won't allow it. My boss wouldn't allow me to change my schedule. They don't allow people to smoke in this hotel. Women were not allowed in the club. The hospital doesn't allow visitors after 8 p.m. Her schedule doesn't allow her any time to run errands. The system allows you to transfer data easily from one computer to another. Occasional gaps allow passage through the mountains. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Therefore: time travel must not allow this situation to be possible. — Josh St. Clair, Men's Health, 22 June 2022 Whatever the financial ramifications of that, the six-episode format for Disney+ did allow subplots and characters more room to breathe in helpful ways. — Brian Lowry, CNN, 22 June 2022 But one-click checkout options, for instance, can allow users to save their address and payment methods as a default option to accelerate the checkout process. — Ravi Teja Bommireddipalli, Forbes, 22 June 2022 With that in mind, allow us to tee up a few pointers before your first visit. — Michael Mcknight, Los Angeles Times, 21 June 2022 The money will allow the amusement park to add an 800-linear-foot lazy river, central spray deck, private full-service cabanas and a second food venue to the Santa Springs Water Park, which is part of the amusement park venue. — Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2022 Thanks to seven working fireplaces throughout the hotel’s common spaces, the cooler months will allow for cozy moments worth lingering over. — Laura Neilson, WSJ, 21 June 2022 The exceptions, which expire one year after they are created, allow teams to acquire players without sending out matching salary in return. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 21 June 2022 The plea agreement struck on Tuesday will allow John Tiedjen to walk out of the county jail, putting a 33-year legal process – including multiple appeals – behind him. — Adam Ferrise, cleveland, 21 June 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'allow.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for allow

Middle English alowen, allowen "to commend, approve of, legally recognize, permit, take into account, compensate," borrowed from Anglo-French aluer, aloer "to place, allot, commend, accept as legally valid, permit, take into account, assess," probably in part from a- (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + loer "to praise," going back to Latin laudāre; in part going back to Medieval Latin allocāre "to place, admit, credit" — more at laud entry 2, allocate