allow

allow
verb (T)
1 to let someone do or have something, or let something happen: allow sb to do sth: The committee allowed the oil company to build a refinery on the island. | allow sb sth: We allow passengers one item of hand luggage each. | allow sb in/out/up etc: I don't allow the cat in the bedroom. | be allowed (=if something is allowed, it is permitted): "Can I smoke?" "I'm sorry, it's not allowed" | Abortions were allowed only for reasons of health. | allow swimming/smoking/talking etc: We do not allow eating in the classrooms. | be allowed (to do sth) (=you are permitted to do something): I wasn't allowed to stay out after 11 o'clock.
2 to be sure that you have enough time, money, food etc available for a particular purpose: We allowed ourselves plenty of time to get to the airport.
3 to make it possible for something to happen or for someone to do something, especially something helpful or useful: allow sb to do sth: A 24-hour ceasefire allowed the two armies to bury their dead. | allow sb sth: The new seatbelt allows the driver greater freedom of movement.
4 to accept or agree that something is correct or permitted by the rules or the law: The judge allowed the evidence.
5 allow that formal to admit that something is true: I allow that there may have been a mistake.
6 allow me! spoken used as a polite way of offering to help someone do something: "Allow me," the waiter said, helping her with her coat.

Longman dictionary of contemporary English. 2004.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?
Synonyms:
, , , , , / , , , , / , , , , , / , , , , / , , / , , , , (Followed by for.)


Look at other dictionaries:

  • allow — al‧low [əˈlaʊ] verb [transitive] 1. ACCOUNTING when the tax authorities allow an amount, cost, or expense, they permit it not to be counted as part of income or profits: • You re allowed a certain amount a year in personal allowances, before you… …   Financial and business terms

  • Allow — Al*low , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Allowed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Allowing}.] [OE. alouen, OF. alouer, aloer, aluer, F. allouer, fr. LL. allocare to admit as proved, to place, use; confused with OF. aloer, fr. L. allaudare to extol; ad + laudare to praise …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • allow — al·low /ə lau̇/ vt: to give approval of or permission for: as a: to grant fulfillment of allow ed her petition for relief b: to decide in favor of allow a deduction on a tax return c: to permit to be presented …   Law dictionary

  • allow — 1. This verb matches admit in having a wide range of common uses, transitive and intransitive, with that clauses, and with an infinitive complement. For several centuries it has alternated in many meanings with the phrasal verb allow of; some of… …   Modern English usage

  • allow — [ə lou′] vt. [ME alowen < OFr alouer < ML allocare, ALLOCATE; assoc. with OFr alouer < L allaudare, to extol < ad , to + laudare, to praise] 1. to let do, happen, etc.; permit; let [we weren t allowed to go] 2. to let have [she… …   English World dictionary

  • allow — [v1] admit; acknowledge acquiesce, avow, concede, confess, grant, let on, own; concepts 60,82 Ant. deny, refuse, reject allow [v2] permit an action accord, accredit, admit, approve, authorize, bear, be big*, be game for*, brook, certify,… …   New thesaurus

  • Allow — Al*low , v. i. To admit; to concede; to make allowance or abatement. [1913 Webster] Allowing still for the different ways of making it. Addison. [1913 Webster] {To allow of}, to permit; to admit. Shak. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • allow — ► VERB 1) admit as legal or acceptable. 2) permit to do something. 3) (allow for) take into consideration when making plans or calculations. 4) provide or set aside for a particular purpose. 5) admit the truth of. DERIVATIVES …   English terms dictionary

  • allow me — allow ˈme idiom used to offer help politely • ‘Allow me,’ he said, taking the tray from her. Main entry: ↑allowidiom …   Useful english dictionary

  • allow — (v.) early 14c., to commend or praise; late 14c., recognize or admit (a privilege, excuse, etc.) as valid; sanction, permit; early 15c., take into account or give credit for (of business matters), from Anglo Fr. alouer, O.Fr. aloer (13c.) allot,… …   Etymology dictionary

  • allow — 1 permit, suffer, *let, leave Analogous words: tolerate, endure, stand, brook (see BEAR): accede, acquiesce (see ASSENT): *yield, submit, defer Antonyms: inhibit Contrasted words: *forbid, prohibit, enjoin: * …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”