allow for

phrasal verb

allowed for; allowing for; allows for

1

: to think about or plan for (something that will or might happen in the future)

When purchasing property, the company should allow for possible future growth/expansion.

2

: to consider (something) when one makes a calculation

The total distance, allowing for detours, is about 10 miles.

If you allow for inflation, he's actually earning less money now than he was 10 years ago.

3

: to make (something) possible

The design of the system allows for easy upgrades.

Examples of allow for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Depending on the age of the child, three- or four-hour chunks of time with 30-minute breaks in between are ideal for covering some ground but allowing for leg stretching. —Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 20 July 2025

Corn is in the same plant family as sugarcane, which allows for the extraction of sweetener from both. —Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 18 July 2025

This allows for flexibility in response to a complex environment. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 18 July 2025

Improves Digestion The fiber content of mangoes makes this fruit helpful for digestive health, allowing for regular bowel movements. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 18 July 2025

Rhymes for allow for

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• blastopore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore