- 1
To let one have as a suitable share of something.ditransitive
- to allow a servant his liberty; to allow a free passage; to allow one day for rest
- 2
To present something as possible or reasonable.intransitive
- The event allows of only one interpretation.
- 3
To permit, to give permission to.catenativetransitive
- I will allow my son to be absent.
- 4
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.
- 5
To acknowledge, accept the truth of; to concede; to accede to an opinion; to say something one agrees on in the context of a larger disagreement or reluctance.transitive
- 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.
- 6
To grant (something) as a deduction or an addition; especially to abate or deduct.transitive
- to allow a sum for leakage
- How much will you allow on my old jalopy?
- 7
To make an allowance, to take into account when making plans.transitive
- When calculating a budget for a construction project, always allow for contingencies.
- 8
To render physically possible.transitive
- The inlet allowed a facility to bring the money in a boat secretly and at night to the very foot of the hill.
- 9
To praise; to approve of; hence, to sanction.obsoletetransitive
- Truly ye bear witness that ye allow the deeds of your fathers
- We commend his pains, condemn his pride, allow his life, approve his learning.
- 10
To sanction; to invest; to entrust.obsolete
- Therefore so please thee to return with us, And of our Athens—thine and ours—to take The captainship, thou shalt be met with thanks, Allow'd with absolute power, and thy good name Live with authority. So soon we shall drive back Of Alcibiad
ant. ban · forbid · prohibit