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

Just be sure to allow for at least one dinner at Matakauri, as the quality is really special and worth the price. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 2026

This was made possible thanks to a new method of 'marking' the glass to store information – going from birefringent voxels that require a two-step process to create microscopic needle-like structures in the glass, to phase voxels that allow for faster reading and writing with simpler hardware. —New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2026

In the weeks since, NYC and the surrounding areas have faced frigid temperatures, which has allowed for the white stuff to linger. —Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026

The zippers push everything down, saving space in suitcases and ultimately allowing for a more seamless boarding experience. —Julie Rousseau, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026

Rhymes for allow for

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