allow

verb transitive

UK /əˈlaʊ/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	allow
he/she/it	allows
present participle	allowing
past tense	allowed
past participle	allowed

1
to give someone permission to do or have something
I’m sorry, sir, but smoking is not allowed.
allow someone to do something:
She only allows the children to watch television at weekends.
I’m not allowed to drive my dad’s car.
allow someone something:
Some prisoners are allowed visitors.
allow yourself something:
I’m on a diet but I allow myself an occasional piece of cake.
allow someone in/back/through etc:
If you leave the club, you will not be allowed back in.
Synonyms and related words
To give someone permission to do something
permit
allow
approve
2
to give someone or something the time or opportunity to do something
allow something to do something:
Allow the cake to cool for five minutes before taking it out of the tin.
allow someone to do something:
Unfortunately, they didn’t allow me to explain the thinking behind my decision.
Synonyms and related words
To give someone an opportunity to do something
enable
entitle
allow
1. 2a
  if something such as an object or situation allows you to do something, it makes it possible for you to do it
  allow someone to do something:
  DVD allows you to record programmes and watch them later.
  Synonyms and related words
  To make something possible
  permit
  allow
  let
3
to make certain that you have enough of something such as time, food, or money for a particular purpose
Please allow 28 days for delivery.
How much rice do you allow for each person?
Synonyms and related words
To find, or to have enough time for something
have
find
make (the) time
4
legalto decide that a piece of information is acceptable in a court of law
This evidence will not be allowed in court.
Synonyms and related words
Appearing in court
affirm
allow
all rise
5
formalto admit or accept that something is true
allow that:
She allowed that the matter was serious.
Synonyms and related words
To admit that something is true
admit
grant
concede

phrasal verbs

allow for

allow of

allow ​‌‌‌

allow ​‌‌‌

allow

allow