» allow

Words people most associate with “allow”:

  1. permit,
  2. let,
  3. pass,
  4. forbid,
  5. permission

[via wordassociation.org]

Verb (10 meanings)

1. make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen.

to let, allow, permit

Examples:
  • “This permits the water to rush in”,
  • “This sealed door won't allow the water come into the basement”,
  • “This will permit the rain to run off”
to allow is the opposite of:
  • to prevent, keep (verb) - stop (someone or something) from doing something or being in a certain state
ways to allow:
  • to pass (verb) - allow to go without comment or censure

2. consent to, give permission.

to permit, allow, let, countenance

Examples:
  • “She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband”,
  • “I won't let the police search her basement”,
  • “I cannot allow you to see your exam”
to allow is the opposite of:
to allow is a way to:
ways to allow:
to allow is derivationally related to:
  • allowable (adjective) - deserving to be allowed or considered
  • license, permission, permit (noun) - the act of giving a formal (usually written) authorization
  • license, licence, permit (noun) - a legal document giving official permission to do something
  • permissible, allowable (adjective) - that may be permitted especially as according to rule
  • permissive (adjective) - granting or inclined or able to grant permission
Verb group:

3. let have.

to allow, grant

Examples:
  • “grant permission”,
  • “Mandela was allowed few visitors in prison”
to allow is the opposite of:
to allow is a way to:
  • to give (verb) - transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody
ways to allow:
  • to allowance (verb) - put on a fixed allowance, as of food
  • to vouchsafe (verb) - grant in a condescending manner
to allow is derivationally related to:
  • grant (noun) - a right or privilege that has been granted
  • granter (noun) - a person who grants or gives something
Verb group:

4. give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause.

to allow, appropriate, earmark, set aside, reserve

Examples:
  • “I will earmark this money for your research”,
  • “She sets aside time for meditation every day”
to allow is a way to:
to allow is derivationally related to:

5. make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain.

to leave, allow for, allow, provide

Examples:
  • “This leaves no room for improvement”,
  • “The evidence allows only one conclusion”,
  • “allow for mistakes”,
  • “leave lots of time for the trip”,
  • “This procedure provides for lots of leeway”
to allow is a way to:
Verb group:

6. allow or plan for a certain possibility; concede the truth or validity of something.

to allow, take into account

Examples:
  • “I allow for this possibility”,
  • “The seamstress planned for 5% shrinkage after the first wash”
to allow is a way to:
ways to allow:
to allow is derivationally related to:
  • allowable (adjective) - deserving to be allowed or considered

7. afford possibility.

to admit, allow

Examples:
  • “This problem admits of no solution”,
  • “This short story allows of several different interpretations”
to allow is derivationally related to:
  • admissive (adjective) - characterized by or allowing admission
  • allowable (adjective) - deserving to be allowed or considered
Verb group:

8. allow the other (baseball) team to score.

to give up, allow

Example:
  • “give up a run”

9. grant as a discount or in exchange.

to allow

Example:
  • “The camera store owner allowed me $50 on my old camera”
to allow is a way to:
  • to discount (verb) - give a reduction in price on

10. allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting.

to allow, permit, tolerate

Examples:
  • “We don't allow dogs here”,
  • “Children are not permitted beyond this point”,
  • “We cannot tolerate smoking in the hospital”
to allow is a way to:
to allow is derivationally related to: