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v. al·lowed, al·low·ing, al·lows v.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 US a. To admit; concede: I allowed he was right. b. To think; suppose: "We allow he's straight" (American Speech). c. To assert; declare: Mother allowed that we'd better come in for dinner. v.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. [Middle English allouen, to approve, permit, from Old French alouer, from Latin allaudāre, to praise (ad-, intensive pref.; see AD- + laudāre, to praise; see LAUD) and from Medieval Latin allocāre, to assign; see ALLOCATE.] al·lowa·ble adj. al·lowa·bly adv. |
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