# allow

Pronunciation: say "uh-LOW" /əˈlaʊ/

## Verb

1. To make it possible for something to happen, or to let it happen by not standing in its way.
   - Simple: To make something possible, or to let it happen by not stopping it.
   - _The open layout allows light to reach every corner of the room._
   - _Loose regulations allow goods to cross the border with little delay._
2. To permit an action, or to give someone permission to do something.
   - Simple: To give permission for an action, or let someone do something.
   - _The museum allows visitors to photograph the exhibits._
   - _Security would not allow anyone past the gate without a badge._
3. To take something into account when making plans, setting aside time or resources for it.
   - Simple: To plan for something by setting aside enough time, money or other things for it.
   - _Engineers allow a margin of error in every measurement._
   - _She allowed two extra days in case the shipment was delayed._
4. To let someone have a particular amount of something as an allowance or share.
   - Simple: To let someone have a particular amount of something.
   - _The budget allows each department a fixed amount for travel._
   - _Prison rules allow inmates one visit per week._
5. In sports, to give up runs, goals, hits, yards or the like to an opposing player or team.
   - Simple: In sports, to let the other player or team score points or gain ground.
   - _The starter allowed three hits over seven scoreless innings._
   - _Their defense continues to allow more rushing yards than any other team in the league._
6. To acknowledge or accept that something is true; to concede a point.
   - Simple: To agree that something is true and accept it.
   - _The critic allowed that the novel had genuine moments of brilliance._
   - _Even his rivals allow that he is a gifted speaker._
7. To decide a legal request in favor of the party who raised it, granting what was sought.
   - Simple: To officially say yes to a request that someone makes to a court.
   - _Judges rarely allow a motion without strong supporting evidence._
   - _The appellate court allowed the appeal and ordered a new trial._
8. To grant an amount as a deduction or addition, especially to subtract it from a total.
   - Simple: To take an amount off a price or total, or add it on.
   - _The dealer allowed three thousand dollars for her old car as a trade-in._
   - _Tax rules allow a deduction for certain medical expenses._
9. To choose not to deal with something; to let it slide. *(dialectal, Multicultural London English)*
   - Simple: To not bother with something and let it pass.
   - _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._

## Verb

10. To praise or approve of something; hence, to sanction it. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To praise something, or to approve of it.
11. To like something; to be suited or pleased with it. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To like something or be pleased with it.
12. To sanction someone or something; to invest with authority; to entrust. *(obsolete)*
   - Simple: To officially approve someone, or to trust them with something.

## 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.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/allow (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).