DictionaryAI

let

LET/lɛt/

Formslets, letting, let

13 meanings of let

Practice

  1. 1
    allowverbtransitive
    To allow someone or something to do something and not stop it.

    My parents let me stay up late on Friday nights.

    Will your mom let you come to the park with us after school?

    UsageUse the verb without to after it: let me go (not incorrect: let me to go).

    Similarallow, permit

    Oppositeprevent, forbid, stop, prohibit

    Note
  2. 2
    verbauxiliarytransitive
    Used to suggest or order something for us or for someone else.

    Let's get pizza tonight instead of cooking at home.

    Let us all stand and welcome our new teacher.

    UsageSay let's to suggest doing something together: let's eat.

    Note
  3. 3
    make knownverbtransitive
    To make something happen, now used only with 'know' or 'be'.

    Let me know if you need a ride to the airport.

    Let it be known that the gate will close at six.

    UsageMost often in let me know, meaning tell me.

    Note
  4. 4
    verbtransitive
    To allow someone or something to go into, out of, or through a place, used with words like "in", "out", or "through".

    Can you let the dog out before you go to bed?

    The guard checked our tickets and let us through the gate.

    UsageSay let it in, or let the dog out or let out the dog.

    Similarallow

    Note
  5. 5
    leave aloneverbtransitive
    To leave someone alone and not bother them.

    I'm tired, so please let me be for a while.

    Let the dog sleep, he's old.

    UsageSay let me be or leave me alone when you want someone to stop bothering you.

    Similarleave

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of let apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origins

Meanings 1–5, 7–10

From Old English lǣtan, meaning "to allow, let go, or leave." It goes back through Proto-Germanic and an old root meaning "to leave."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

Meanings 6, 11–13

From Old English lettan, meaning "to hinder or delay", literally "to make late."

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts