Definition of "allow" in English

verb

1. (ditransitive) To let one have as a suitable share of something.

   • to allow a servant his liberty; to allow a free passage; to allow one day for rest

2. (transitive, catenative) To permit, to give permission to.

   • I will allow my son to be absent.

3. To not bar or obstruct.

   • Although I don't consent to their holding such meetings, I will allow them for the time being.
   • Smoking (is) allowed only in designated areas.

4. (transitive) To acknowledge, accept the truth of; to concede; to accede to an opinion.

   • to allow a right; to allow a claim; to allow an appeal
   • You must allow that disagreeing about politics puts a strain on a relationship.

5. (transitive) To grant (something) as a deduction or an addition; especially to abate or deduct.

   • to allow a sum for leakage

6. (transitive) To make an allowance, to take into account when making plans.

   • When calculating a budget for a construction project, always allow for contingencies.

7. (transitive) To render physically possible.

8. (transitive, obsolete) To praise; to approve of; hence, to sanction.

9. (obsolete) To sanction; to invest; to entrust.

10. (transitive, obsolete) To like; to be suited or pleased with.

11. (law, transitive) To decide (a request) in favour of the party who raised it; to grant victory to a party regarding (a request).

    • to allow an objection
    • to allow an appeal

12. (transitive, MTE, MLE) To forgo bothering with, to let slide.