Definition of allow

< all-overs

allowance >

al·low    (-lou) KEY 

VERB:
al·lowed, al·low·ing, al·lows
VERB:
tr.

1. To let do or happen; permit: We allow smoking only in restricted areas.
2. To permit the presence of: No pets are allowed inside.
3. To permit to have: allow oneself a little treat.
4. To make provision for; assign: The schedule allows time for a coffee break.
5. To plan for in case of need: allow two inches in the fabric for shrinkage.
6. To grant as a discount or in exchange: allowed me 20 dollars on my old typewriter.
7. Chiefly Southern & Midland U.S.
   1. To admit; concede: I allowed he was right.
   2. To think; suppose: "We allow he's straight" (American Speech).
   3. To assert; declare: Mother allowed that we'd better come in for dinner.

VERB:
intr.

1. To offer a possibility; admit: The poem allows of several interpretations.
2. To take a possibility into account; make allowance: In calculating profit, retailers must allow for breakage and spoilage.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English allouen, to approve, permit, from Old French alouer, from Latin allaudre, to praise ( ad-, intensive pref.; see ad- + laudre, to praise; see laud), and from Medieval Latin allocre, to assign ; see allocate

OTHER FORMS:
al·lowa·ble(Adjective), al·lowa·bly(Adverb)