allow
Formsallows, allowing, allowed
- 1To make it possible for something to happen, or to let it happen by not standing in its way.
The open layout allows light to reach every corner of the room.
Loose regulations allow goods to cross the border with little delay.
UsageUsually allow something to happen: allow light to reach a room. On signs the passive often drops be: smoking allowed here.
Note
Permission and tolerance part ways here: "Although I don't consent to their holding such meetings, I will allow them for the time being." The speaker grants nothing and simply declines to stand in the way. The reflexive allow ourselves to, in Leo Hickman's 2013 Guardian Weekly piece on algorithms, carries the same sense of not resisting.
- 2To permit an action, or to give someone permission to do something.
The museum allows visitors to photograph the exhibits.
Security would not allow anyone past the gate without a badge.
Usageallow someone to do something, but let someone do it: allow him to go, let him go (not
incorrect: allow him go). - 3To take something into account when making plans, setting aside time or resources for it.
Engineers allow a margin of error in every measurement.
She allowed two extra days in case the shipment was delayed.
Usageallow for the thing that might happen (allow for traffic), but allow the amount itself (allow two extra days).
- 4To let someone have a particular amount of something as an allowance or share.
The budget allows each department a fixed amount for travel.
Prison rules allow inmates one visit per week.
UsageThe person comes first, then the share, with no to: allow each player twenty minutes.
Oppositedeny
Note
In Constance Garnett's translation of Chekhov's 1895 story "Ariadne", a character's uncle "only allowed him two thousand roubles a year", a fixed yearly sum that left him short of money.
- 5In sports, to give up runs, goals, hits, yards or the like to an opposing player or team.
The starter allowed three hits over seven scoreless innings.
Their defense continues to allow more rushing yards than any other team in the league.
UsageAlso with to + verb: the pitcher allowed a run to score. In everyday talk, give up means the same.
Similaryield, concede, surrender
Note
A scorekeeper's verb: the subject is the side defending, and the object is whatever the opponent got, such as runs, hits, goals or yards. Unlike the "permit" meaning, it usually implies no intent; a pitcher who allowed three hits was trying to stop all three, though a team now and then lets a score through on purpose.
Less common meanings
- 6To acknowledge or accept that something is true; to concede a point.
The critic allowed that the novel had genuine moments of brilliance.
Even his rivals allow that he is a gifted speaker.
UsageUsually allow that + a clause: I'll allow that you were right.
Similarconcede, admit, acknowledge, grant
Note
A verb of concession, at home in argument. Its usual frame is allow that plus a clause, as in Thackeray's The Newcomes: "I allow, with Mrs. Grundy and most moralists, that…" Watch the object-and-infinitive form. In Jane Austen's Emma, "I shall not allow you to be a fair judge" refuses to concede that Mr. Knightley is fair. It does not forbid him to judge.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 5 facts
- William Makepeace Thackeray wrote The Newcomes. gutenberg.org
- The quoted opening occurs in the narration of The Newcomes. gutenberg.org
- Jane Austen wrote Emma. gutenberg.org
- The quotation occurs in Emma, spoken by Mrs. Weston to Mr. Knightley. gutenberg.org
- The passage disputes Mr. Knightley's fairness in this case rather than forbidding him to judge. gutenberg.org
- 7To decide a legal request in favor of the party who raised it, granting what was sought.
Judges rarely allow a motion without strong supporting evidence.
The appellate court allowed the appeal and ordered a new trial.
UsageThe object is the request, not the person: a judge allows an appeal or an objection.
Note
The phrasing overlaps with the conceding sense, where one may also allow a claim or a right. In law, though, the word records a ruling rather than an admission.
- 8To grant an amount as a deduction or addition, especially to subtract it from a total.
The dealer allowed three thousand dollars for her old car as a trade-in.
Tax rules allow a deduction for certain medical expenses.
UsageOften allow an amount for something (allowed $3,000 for her old car) or off a price (ten dollars off).
- 9To choose not to deal with something; to let it slide.
When his cousin kicked off about the money again, Jay just laughed and said, 'Man, allow it, it's not that deep.'
He kept arguing about the bill until his mate told him to allow it.
UsageUsually a short command: allow it or allow that, often with man (Man, allow it).
Note
A slang use from Multicultural London English, also heard in Toronto, in which to allow something is to let it go. In Starzzy's 2021 track "Who's My man?", a line uses it for a fight passed up: the speaker had the chance to start one and chose to let it go.
- 10To praise or approve of something; hence, to sanction it.
Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers
1611, The Holy Bible, King James VersionWe commend his pains, condemn his pride, allow his life, approve his learning.
1842, Thomas Fuller, Church History of BritainNote
An obsolete sense of approval, close to commend. In the King James Bible of 1611, "ye allow the deeds of your fathers" means you approve those deeds, not that you permit them. That is the trap for a modern reader. Thomas Fuller sets the verb among its kin: "commend his pains, condemn his pride, allow his life, approve his learning."
- 11To like something; to be suited or pleased with it.
How allow you the model of these clothes?
1632, Philip Massinger, Nathan FieldNote
Here allow is a matter of taste, not permission, and it has long since dropped out of use. Philip Massinger and Nathan Field's The Fatal Dowry (1632) asks "How allow you the model of these clothes?", meaning how do you like their cut. It shades into the "approve of" meaning. In modern writing, say like instead, because readers will take allow as permit.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- Allow had the sense 'like', supporting the interpretation of the question as asking for an opinion of the clothes. en.wiktionary.org
- Philip Massinger and Nathan Field wrote The Fatal Dowry, first published in 1632. en.wikipedia.org
- The quoted question occurs in Act IV, scene 1, spoken by Novall junior; 'model' modernizes the original spelling 'modell'. gutenberg.org
- 12To sanction someone or something; to invest with authority; to entrust.
Note
Shakespeare's Timon of Athens (1623) shows this sense in the passive with with. The Athenians promise Timon he will be "Allow'd with absolute power", that is, invested with it and entrusted with the captainship. The sense is obsolete, so it is one to recognize in reading rather than to use. Read it as invested or entrusted, never as permitted.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 5 facts
- Timon of Athens is by William Shakespeare. gutenberg.org
- 1623 is the play's first publication year. en.wikipedia.org
- The quotation uses allow passively with with. gutenberg.org
- An Athenian senator promises Timon the captainship with absolute power, using the quoted words. gutenberg.org
- Allow here means invest or entrust, and this sense is obsolete. en.wiktionary.org
Practice
Can you tell the meanings of allow apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.
Origin
"Allow" comes from Middle English "allowen," borrowed from Anglo-Norman "allouer," from Medieval Latin "allaudāre," which merged with "alouer" from Medieval Latin "allocō" ("to assign"). It is a doublet of "allaud" and "allocate," and its resemblance to Old English "ālīefan" and German "erlauben" is only coincidental.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- Allow derives from Middle English allowen, borrowed from Anglo-Norman allouer. en.wiktionary.org
- The etymology combines a French descendant of Medieval Latin allaudāre with alouer from Medieval Latin allocō, meaning to assign. en.wiktionary.org
- Allow is a doublet of allaud and allocate through its respective Latin sources. en.wiktionary.org
- Its resemblance to Old English ālīefan and German erlauben is coincidental. en.wiktionary.org