affordaf‧ford /əˈfɔːd $ -ɔːrd/ ●●● S1 W3 verb [transitive] 
We can’t afford to go on vacation this year. I couldn’t afford the rent on my own. How can she afford to eat out every night? b)to have enough time to do something: Dad can’t afford any more time off work. c)if you cannot afford to do something, you must not do it because it could cause serious problems for youafford to do something We can’t afford to wait any longer or we’ll miss the plane.GRAMMARAfford is followed by an infinitive with ‘to’: · I can’t afford to buy a car. ✗Don’t say: can’t afford buying | can’t afford buyGrammar guide ‒ VERBS2formal to provide something or allow something to happen: The room affords a beautiful view over the city.afford (somebody) an opportunity/chance It afforded her the opportunity to improve her tennis skills. The new law will afford protection to employees.
WORD ORIGINafford
Origin:
Old English geforthian ‘to carry out’, from forthVERB TABLE
afford
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | afford |
| he, she, it | affords | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | afforded |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have afforded |
| he, she, it | has afforded | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had afforded |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will afford |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have afforded |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Helena doesn't feel she can afford any more time away from work.
- The window affords a beautiful view out over the city.
- Filling in the two charts on page 32 gives the best indication of what you can afford.
- Fortunately Joe's can afford for me to use chemicals and paper as I like.
- It is successful because it produces a high quality product on time at a price the customer can afford.
- Many smaller companies simply can not afford to buy health insurance for employees and remain in business.
- My parents used to say that their son would have the best education they could afford.
- No show can afford that kind of scandal, particularly a brand-new one, hungry for the ratings.
- The School Board next week is expected to meet in executive session and determine how much it can afford to offer.
Longman Language Activatornot costing much money
something that is cheap costs very little money, or costs less than you expected: · My shoes were really cheap - they only cost $15.· The cheapest way to get to Chicago is to take the bus.it is cheap to do something: · It's cheaper to phone after six o'clock.relatively cheap (=cheap compared with other things): · Wooden houses are relatively cheap to build.
not expensive - use this especially about things that are of good quality, even though they do not cost a lot: · The furniture is inexpensive but well-made.· a simple, inexpensive meal· Beans and lentils are an inexpensive source of protein.relatively inexpensive (=not expensive compared to something similar): · a hotel that offers air-conditioned rooms at relatively inexpensive prices
especially spoken to not be expensive: · We stayed in a very nice hotel in Vienna and it didn't cost much.it doesn't cost much to do something: · It doesn't cost much to rent an apartment here.
cheap to use or cheap to do - use this about cars, machines, or ways of doing things that do not waste money, fuel etc: · We have a very economical heating system, so the bills aren't too high.be economical to use/run/operate: · This is a well-designed car that is also very economical to run.it is more economical to do something: · It's more economical to buy the big packet - it's only 50p more than the small one.
cheap enough for most people to be able to buy: · Single mothers often have trouble finding affordable child care.· We have a vast range of cars to choose from at affordable prices.
: low-cost housing/heating/transport etc intended to be cheap to use, buy, rent etc: · If you want low-cost transport and regular exercise, a bike is ideal.· If elected, he promised to build more low-cost housing in the city.· The US is giving low-cost loans to help under-developed countries in the region.
especially written if a product is low in price , it is cheap to buy: · Nikon's latest camera is low in price and easy to use.· The "Pocket-Pack" range of toys are very low in price and will provide hours of pleasure for the kids.
: low-budget film/movie/ production etc one that has been made very cheaply: · My first acting job was in a low-budget horror movie with a terrible plot.
: budget hotel/flight/accommodation etc budget hotels, flights etc are very low in price: · The Tourist Information Office will give you a list of budget hotels in the area.
spoken use this to say that you have enough money to buy or do something, and you should buy or do it: · "I'm not sure if I should buy this suit.'' "Come on! It won't break the bank!''without breaking the bank (=without having to pay a lot of money): · This guide lists 900 of the best places in which to eat without breaking the bank.
to have enough of something to have enough of something to do what you want: · I'll come and see you if I have enough time.have enough time/money etc to do something: · We didn't have enough room to lie down, so we couldn't really sleep.
to have enough of something to do what you want: · I know I should exercise, but I just never seem to have the time.· I'm sure Jonathan would be willing to help, if he had the money.have the time/money/help etc to do something: · A small company like ours just doesn't have the resources to compete with the big corporations.
to have enough money to do something or to buy something: · I love the apartment, but I don't think we can afford the rent.can afford to do something: · These days more and more people can afford to fly, which means the airways become increasingly crowded.
informal to have enough time, money etc for a particular purpose, because you do not need it all for other purposes: · Can you spare a couple of minutes to talk about next week's programme?· The firm has agreed to improve the toilet facilities as soon as they can spare the money.· The records show that the city has a few acres of land to spare.
British informal if someone's money runs to something, they have enough money to pay for it, especially when it is something expensive: · I don't think my salary quite runs to holidays in the Caribbean!· The company budget wouldn't run to a Mercedes, so I had to make do with a Ford instead.
informal to have enough of something that you need, such as time, money, or food: · "Do you have to rush off?'' "No, I'm OK for time.''· We're all right for vegetables, but we need to buy some more fruit.· "Are we ok for little plates?" "Yeah, Matthew washed them all."
British informal to have plenty of something that is needed or that makes life easier or more pleasant: · We're quite well off for public transport in this part of the country.· The school's reasonably well off for books and equipment but there is a shortage of staff.
to not have enough of something · The computer doesn't have enough memory - it just crashes all the time.not have enough time/money etc to do something · We don't have enough time to go shopping now.not have enough to do/eat/ drink etc · The number of children in the cities that do not have enough to eat is rising daily.
to not have enough money to do something: · We can't afford a really good printer right now.· I know I can't really afford it, but I want to buy her something nice.can't afford to do something (=not have enough money to do it): · I can't afford to fly, so I'm renting a car.· I can't afford to have any more unpaid days off.
to not have enough of something that is necessary, such as money or food: · I was short of money, so George lent me $20.· The county is short of affordable housing, and the situation is getting worse.· The pilot knew the plane was low on fuel.
informal to have less than you should have of a useful or important quality: · Warren is a good worker, but short on new ideas.· I sometimes felt our evenings together were a little short on fun.
to be using so much of something that you will soon not have enough of it left: · We're running out of time - can you finish up quickly?· Is the world running out of natural resources?· The refugees are running short of supplies and winter is approaching.
to have only just enough money or just enough of a supply of something, so that you have to be very careful about how you use it: · With a hundred thousand new people in the area, city resources are stretched. be stretched to the breaking point/the limit (=to have so little of something that you are likely to fail): · If this cut in resources occurs, it could severely damage a social fabric that is already stretched to the breaking point.be stretched thin American: · The army's supply lines in the area along the southern border were stretched dangerously thin.
informal to not have enough money at the present time: · We sold the restaurant when we were strapped for cash a few years ago.· If you are seriously strapped for cash, I'm sure Robert could give you a job.
not containing as much of a particular substance or not having as much of a particular quality as is necessary - used especially in scientific contexts: deficient in: · Your diet is deficient in vitamins.protein/nutrient/iron etc deficient: · Only hormone-deficient children are allowed to use the drug.
to be given much less of something than is needed: · Most of the animals are just starved of attention.· She admitted that living on the island she had been starved of conversation and ideas.· Starved of foreign aid money, the country collapsed into war last year.
when something is too expensive if you can't afford something, you do not have enough money to buy it or pay for it: · I really need a new coat, but I can't afford one.can't afford to do something: · We couldn't afford to go on holiday last year.can't afford it: · Hiring a lawyer would be expensive, and she just couldn't afford it.
prices, charges, rents etc that are exorbitant or extortionate , are very much higher than they should be, and you think they are unfair: · The restaurant charges exorbitant prices for very ordinary food.· Interest rates for some of the credit cards are extortionate.
spoken informal you say something is a rip-off when you think someone is unfairly charging too much money for it: · Eighty dollars for a pair of jeans? What a rip-off!a complete/total rip-off: · The vacation package we bought ended up being a total rip-off.
prices or costs that are prohibitive or prohibitively expensive are so high that people cannot pay them or decide not to pay them because they are too expensive: · For most people, the cost of living in the centre of town is prohibitive.· The computer was superior to other models, but it was prohibitively expensive.
prices that are much higher than usual and much higher than they should be, so that the person who charges them can make a big profit: · Nightclubs often charge inflated prices for drinks.at inflated prices: · Some people buy large blocks of tickets and then try to sell them at vastly inflated prices.
informal prices, charges, rents etc that are steep seem unusually or surprisingly high: · I think £7 for a drink is a bit steep, don't you?· It's hard to find an apartment around here, and when you do the rents are pretty steep.
British /be highway robbery American informal if you say that a price or charge is daylight robbery or highway robbery you mean it is very much higher than it should be: · I'm not paying £5 for an ice-cream - that's daylight robbery!· We knew it was highway robbery, but we had no choice but to pay.
to make something so expensive that people will no longer buy it because they can buy something similar at a lower price: be priced out of the market: · British electrical equipment is likely to be priced out of the market by cheap imports.price yourself out of the market: · Ford don't want to raise its prices any more - it's worried about pricing itself out of the market.
to have enough money to pay for something if you can afford something, you have enough money to pay for it: · I'd love to visit Australia, but I just can't afford it.· I had to move because I couldn't afford the rent any more.can afford to do something: · How can you afford to eat in restaurants all the time?· He's finally earning more, so he can afford to have a holiday this year.
to have enough money to pay for something such as a tax or a bill: · They say they will have all the money on Friday, but I don't think they'll be able to pay.· Some people just aren't able to pay the tax.be able to pay for: · Many people use credit as a way of buying goods they are not able to pay for.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY The room affords a beautiful view over the city. It afforded her the opportunity to improve her tennis skills. The new law will afford protection to employees.COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
The room affords a beautiful view over the city. It afforded her the opportunity to improve her tennis skills. The new law will afford protection to employees.· We can’t afford the cost of a holiday abroad this year.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Many of them are in fact very poor and can ill afford their habit.· The nation could ill afford a logy commander-in-chief in the event of nuclear attack.· But Kevin Curren struck some crucial blows - runs that Warwickshire could ill afford to concede at this stage of the match.· Often it is something they can ill afford.· He could ill afford to lose such support in 1946, the year of the mid-term elections.· Sotheby's can ill afford to have its auction prices called into question.· There may be no alternative to leave of absence, even though the nurse can ill afford the loss of income.· Hadn't she already taken time off work which she could ill afford in her sister's interests?
· The political system can no longer afford to be indifferent to the economy.· Employers claim these are luxuries the nation can no longer afford.· Polly could no longer afford the house on her own and moved out.· We can no longer afford this attitude, in an age of fierce resistance to taxes.· Changes would have to be made as she could no longer afford to support her entire family.· Hospitals can no longer afford medicines and are turning patients away.
· Rebecca never closed for more than an hour at lunchtime - she always said she couldn't afford to.· No, she did not own a car - could not afford to - but she did have a driving licence.· He shouldn't bear to spend money on his own comfort, even when, in later years, he could afford to.· You can borrow the money from a bank easily and quickly and pay it back later as you can afford to.· I suppose we really couldn't afford to.· More importantly, I couldn't afford to.
NOUN· For, even if they knew in general that it was unlikely to be the case, they could not afford to take chances.· But can we afford to take chances?· This affords Brown a chance to explore the planet which he believes not to be as dead as it first appears.· He also preferred the Durham system to the Cambridge system because it afforded the chance of more general courses of study.
· But such taxes would also increase the cost of capital for those countries which could least afford it.· Few countries can afford increments in their recurrent budget.· None of the world's poor countries can afford to curb industrial development.· Can the country afford such a stiff bill for democracy?· Rich countries can afford to spend money on the environment, but few have made it a priority in the past.· When communications were inadequate and weak, it was argued, the country could ill afford the luxury of competing media.· Basically that argument was simply that the country could not afford to go on expanding non-productive sectors such as social services.
· Few returned to school, because their families could not afford it.· Each benefited from scholarships to win the education that family could not afford.· Poor families could rarely afford medical insurance and treatment for more than one member, usually the father.· Even if his family could have afforded to buy one, they could not have found a ready source.· Because few families or newcomers can afford to live in the centre, the entire geography of New York is changing.· When families can not afford this approach, they sometimes substitute less frequent, longer stays.· They, or their families, can not afford to do so.· Last year the dacoits kidnapped a man and broke both his legs because his family could not afford the ransom.
· I must say that not all of them could afford the fees.· But once in the park, she could not afford the separate admission fees for the parks within the park.· Do you know how some of the kids afford the fees?· Perhaps because they were the only people able to afford the fees.· Unable to afford Lumet's fee.· We believe all parents have the right to choice in education - not only those who can afford school fees.· Yet, what was she thinking, poor? when she could apparently afford to pay the fees for this child.
· When I painted it was for myself, I could afford the luxury of spending two years on a painting.· The Fannings knew the Garcfas could not afford such a luxury these days.· Smaller companies that can't afford these luxuries can sometimes arrange to use spare capacity on the network of a nearby multinational.· But most people in Hanoi could not afford consumer luxuries, and even acquiring necessities was a full-time job.· Is this what women became if afforded the luxury of turned tables?· They couldn't afford the luxury of open-market values.· Undefended, or strife-torn, it could afford no such luxury.
· There are those, however, who say the money can not be afforded.· But I think the club has spent more money than it could afford.· Raymond Cusick had hoped for six Daleks from his budget but in the end the money only ran to affording four.· The client lost money he could not afford.· Style pages cover Spitalfields stories regularly, to the extent that now only people with money can afford to live there.· They have quite enough money to afford a hotel.· Associate members with a little more money to spend can afford the comfort of local hotels.
· His natural enthusiasm had quickly turned to the positive aspect of events, and the opportunities which they afforded him.· An opportunity was afforded when the council supported El Universal in its uncomplimentary evaluation of the work of the early independence leaders.· Yet most of the time they resist the temptation to exact retribution, despite the abundant opportunities the game affords.· Deadwood was an opportunity he could not afford to give up, and so she seized the chance for a visit home.· Slaves took advantage of the opportunities afforded to rebel.· There were no start-up business opportunities that I could afford.
· It had not occurred to her that my parents simply could not afford the dry-cleaning bills.· One option might be variations on the kinds of private military schools that more affluent parents who can afford it already utilize.· However, parents who could not afford to pay for the meals were to be in no way penalized.· These sacrifices were necessary for my parents to afford the house and its upkeep.· The thing is, my mum is a single parent and can't afford for me to stay there.· Your parents can't afford to pay for a new bed.
· There will always be vast numbers of people who can not afford to pay.· Yet they could not resolve the paradox that their revolutionary aims resulted in goods that only wealthy people could afford.· You have to find creative ways of providing the illusion of space in a price tag that more people can afford.· There are western goods in the shops but mostly people can only afford to look.· On trip cancellation or interruption insurance, some people can not afford to lose even a couple hundred dollars.· A large project like the power station will not benefit these people, but richer people can afford the appliances and electricity.· Too many people can not afford them.
· An if we couldn't afford the price of admission, we found other distractions.· But these were also the people who, it is safe to say, could afford to pay these prices.· This is what passes for social life for the majority, who can't afford the much higher prices in bars.· Can local groups afford these prices?· In this way they can afford the high prices for the land.· They do, however, insist that if we can't afford the extortionate asking price, then not to worry.
· The thought sent Isabel scrambling into her gown again, as though the garment might afford her some protection.· The Legislature banned lion hunting in 1972, and voters afforded special protection with an initiative approved in 1990.· The man was no fool and his very cynicism afforded him some protection.· The agreements expired in 1992 and were not renewed, because they afforded the kind of protection banned under international trade agreements.· I am sure one of them would afford you the protection that you seek.· It is this, primarily, because suitable cover is afforded for protection and food is plentiful for the young fishes.· True, the Government has continued to afford him protection, an expensive commitment for which he helps pay.· Assists in maintaining proper bowel function and affords protection against diverticulosis, haemorrhoids and varicose veins.
· There is a large garden which contains a swimming pool and affords views of the busy harbour below.· A roof-top terrace affords enchanting views.· The lounge, of marble and mirrors, and the light, airy restaurant both afford canal views.· Their paths afford spectacular views, and new vistas open up around every corner.· One wall was a picture window affording a pastoral view of Lower Los Angeles right down to the beach.· Long since abandoned by the sea, Rye is now a hilltop town affording super views of the surrounding countryside.· Leadburn Inn Dine in luxurious splendour in a beautifully converted railway carriage, which affords panoramic views over the Pentlands.
VERB· The price of success is usually highest for those who can least afford to pay.· Q: Can the Democratic Party afford to take the black vote for granted?· What is a fair profit margin to add to this total? Can local groups afford these prices?· You can t afford to let him get you on the run.· We can t afford to get arrested in a foreign country.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1can/could afford [usually negative] a)to have enough money to buy or pay for somethingafford (to do) something- He can afford to argue with the local hierarchy when the interests of his order require it.
- If you can afford to do so, buying your home outright usually makes sense.
- Jeremy Taylor is some one who can afford to put his principles into practice.
- More men would take leave if they could afford to, but taking leave usually means sacrificing income.
- Pip will simply be a gentleman because he can afford it.
- The Otis family house in Atchison had finally been sold that February, so Amy could afford to splurge a little.
- Two courses were probably all she could afford.
- You must be careful not to borrow more money that you can afford to repay.
- The senator can ill afford another scandal.
- If land is not suitable for efficient farming, we can ill afford it being used for inefficient agriculture.
- It does not make sense to squander important resources that the nation can ill afford to lose.
- Many of them are in fact very poor and can ill afford their habit.
- Often it is something they can ill afford.
- Sotheby's can ill afford to have its auction prices called into question.
- Surely it would be a drain on Party resources that it can ill afford.
- There may be no alternative to leave of absence, even though the nurse can ill afford the loss of income.
- Yet it is an area which practitioners can ill afford to ignore.
- Defenders have the luxury of double-teaming Riley.
- In the criminal trial, the prosecution did not have the luxury of depositions.
- Is this what women became if afforded the luxury of turned tables?
- The human species can no longer afford the luxury of such long double-takes or the leisurely changes of heart of entrenched scientists.
- They couldn't afford the luxury of open-market values.
- They did have the luxury of hit and run.
- We do not have the luxury of thinking our problems will miraculously be solved by better times ahead.
- When I painted it was for myself, I could afford the luxury of spending two years on a painting.
We can’t afford to go on vacation this year. I couldn’t afford the rent on my own. How can she afford to eat out every night? b)to have enough time to do something: Dad can’t afford any more time off work. c)if you cannot afford to do something, you must not do it because it could cause serious problems for youafford to do something We can’t afford to wait any longer or we’ll miss the plane.GRAMMARAfford is followed by an infinitive with ‘to’: · I can’t afford to buy a car. ✗Don’t say: can’t afford buying | can’t afford buyGrammar guide ‒ VERBS2formal to provide something or allow something to happen: The room affords a beautiful view over the city.afford (somebody) an opportunity/chance It afforded her the opportunity to improve her tennis skills. The new law will afford protection to employees.