allow

al·low

A0217200 (ə-lou′)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·low′a·ble adj.al·low′a·bly adv.

allow

(əˈlaʊ) vb1. (tr) to permit (to do something); let2. (tr) to set aside: five hours were allowed to do the job. 3. (tr) to let enter or stay: they don't allow dogs. 4. (tr) to acknowledge or concede (a point, claim, etc)5. (tr) to let have; grant: he was allowed few visitors. 6. (foll by: for) to take into account: allow for delays. 7. (often foll by: of) to permit; admit: a question that allows of only one reply. 8. (tr; may take a clause as object) dialect US to assert; maintain9. (tr) archaic to approve; accept[C14: from Old French alouer, from Late Latin allaudāre to extol, influenced by Medieval Latin allocāre to assign, allocate]

al•low

(əˈlaʊ)

v.t. 1. to give permission to or for; permit: to allow a student to be absent; No smoking allowed. 2. to let have; give as one's share: to allow a person $100 for expenses. 3. to permit by neglect or oversight: to allow a door to remain open. 4. to admit; acknowledge; concede: I had to allow that he was right. 5. to approve, as for payment: to allow a claim. 6. to assign or allocate; set apart: to allow an hour for changing trains. 7. Older Use. to say; think. 8. Archaic. to approve; sanction. v.i. 9. to permit or grant; admit (often fol. by of): to spend more than one's budget allows; a premise that allows of only one conclusion. 10. allow for, to make provision for: to allow for breakage. [1250–1300; Middle English alowen < Anglo-French al(l)o(u)er to place, allot, allow, Old French aloer to place < Medieval Latin allocāre; see allocate] syn: allow, permit, let imply granting or conceding the right of someone to do something. allow suggests passivity or even oversight; it points to the absence of an attempt or intent to hinder: The baby-sitter allowed the children to run around the house. permit implies a more positive or willing consent; it is often used of a formal authorization: Bicycle riding is not permitted in this park. let is a familiar, conversational term used in a similar sense: My parents let me stay up late.

allow

permit">permit let">let enable">enable

Allow, permit, and let are all used to say that someone is given permission to do something, or is not prevented from doing something. Permit is a formal word.

1. 'allow' and 'permit'

Allow and permit are followed by an object and a to-infinitive clause.

He allowed me to take the course.They do not permit students to use calculators in exams.

You can say that people are not allowed to do something or are not permitted to do something.

Visitors are not allowed to take photographs in the museum.Children are not permitted to use the swimming pool.

You can also say that something is not allowed or that it is not permitted.

Running was not allowed in the school.Picnics are not permitted in the park.2. 'let'

Let is followed by an object and an infinitive without to.

Let me go to the party on Saturday. I won't be late.

You don't usually use 'let' in the passive. Don't say, for example, 'She was let go to the party'.

3. 'enable'

Don't confuse any of these words with enable. To enable someone to do something means to give them the opportunity to do it. It does not mean to give them permission to do it.

Contraception enables women to plan their families.The new test should enable doctors to detect the disease early.

allow

Past participle: allowed
Gerund: allowing

Imperative
allow
allow

Present
I allow
you allow
he/she/it allows
we allow
you allow
they allow

Preterite
I allowed
you allowed
he/she/it allowed
we allowed
you allowed
they allowed

Present Continuous
I am allowing
you are allowing
he/she/it is allowing
we are allowing
you are allowing
they are allowing

Present Perfect
I have allowed
you have allowed
he/she/it has allowed
we have allowed
you have allowed
they have allowed

Past Continuous
I was allowing
you were allowing
he/she/it was allowing
we were allowing
you were allowing
they were allowing

Past Perfect
I had allowed
you had allowed
he/she/it had allowed
we had allowed
you had allowed
they had allowed

Future
I will allow
you will allow
he/she/it will allow
we will allow
you will allow
they will allow

Future Perfect
I will have allowed
you will have allowed
he/she/it will have allowed
we will have allowed
you will have allowed
they will have allowed

Future Continuous
I will be allowing
you will be allowing
he/she/it will be allowing
we will be allowing
you will be allowing
they will be allowing

Present Perfect Continuous
I have been allowing
you have been allowing
he/she/it has been allowing
we have been allowing
you have been allowing
they have been allowing

Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been allowing
you will have been allowing
he/she/it will have been allowing
we will have been allowing
you will have been allowing
they will have been allowing

Past Perfect Continuous
I had been allowing
you had been allowing
he/she/it had been allowing
we had been allowing
you had been allowing
they had been allowing

Conditional
I would allow
you would allow
he/she/it would allow
we would allow
you would allow
they would allow

Past Conditional
I would have allowed
you would have allowed
he/she/it would have allowed
we would have allowed
you would have allowed
they would have allowed

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	allow - make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen; "This permits the water to rush in"; "This sealed door won't allow the water come into the basement"; "This will permit the rain to run off"let, permitpass - allow to go without comment or censure; "the insult passed as if unnoticed"
	2.	allow - consent to, give permission; "She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband"; "I won't let the police search her basement"; "I cannot allow you to see your exam"countenance, permit, letbrook, endure, tolerate, stomach, abide, bear, digest, stick out, suffer, put up, stand, support - put up with something or somebody unpleasant; "I cannot bear his constant criticism"; "The new secretary had to endure a lot of unprofessional remarks"; "he learned to tolerate the heat"; "She stuck out two years in a miserable marriage"furlough - grant a leave to; "The prisoner was furloughed for the weekend to visit her children"give - allow to have or take; "I give you two minutes to respond"consent, go for, accept - give an affirmative reply to; respond favorably to; "I cannot accept your invitation"; "I go for this resolution"permit, tolerate, allow - allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting; "We don't allow dogs here"; "Children are not permitted beyond this point"; "We cannot tolerate smoking in the hospital"authorize, authorise, clear, pass - grant authorization or clearance for; "Clear the manuscript for publication"; "The rock star never authorized this slanderous biography"grant, allow - let have; "grant permission"; "Mandela was allowed few visitors in prison"let in, admit, include - allow participation in or the right to be part of; permit to exercise the rights, functions, and responsibilities of; "admit someone to the profession"; "She was admitted to the New Jersey Bar"privilege, favour, favor - bestow a privilege upondecriminalise, decriminalize, legalise, legalize, legitimate, legitimatise, legitimatize, legitimise, legitimize - make legal; "Marijuana should be legalized"trust - allow without fearallow in, intromit, let in, admit - allow to enter; grant entry to; "We cannot admit non-members into our club building"; "This pipe admits air"nix, prohibit, proscribe, disallow, forbid, interdict, veto - command against; "I forbid you to call me late at night"; "Mother vetoed the trip to the chocolate store"; "Dad nixed our plans"
	3.	allow - let have; "grant permission"; "Mandela was allowed few visitors in prison"grantcountenance, permit, allow, let - consent to, give permission; "She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband"; "I won't let the police search her basement"; "I cannot allow you to see your exam"give - transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody; "I gave her my money"; "can you give me lessons?"; "She gave the children lots of love and tender loving care"vouchsafe - grant in a condescending mannerallowance - put on a fixed allowance, as of fooddeny, refuse - refuse to let have; "She denies me every pleasure"; "he denies her her weekly allowance"
	4.	allow - give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause; "I will earmark this money for your research"; "She sets aside time for meditation every day"appropriate, earmark, set aside, reserveallot, portion, assign - give out; "We were assigned new uniforms"
	5.	allow - make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain; "This leaves no room for improvement"; "The evidence allows only one conclusion"; "allow for mistakes"; "leave lots of time for the trip"; "This procedure provides for lots of leeway"allow for, provide, leaveyield, afford, give - be the cause or source of; "He gave me a lot of trouble"; "Our meeting afforded much interesting information"admit, allow - afford possibility; "This problem admits of no solution"; "This short story allows of several different interpretations"
	6.	allow - allow or plan for a certain possibility; concede the truth or validity of something; "I allow for this possibility"; "The seamstress planned for 5% shrinkage after the first wash"take into accountcount on, figure, forecast, reckon, estimate, calculate - judge to be probablebudget for - calculate enough money for; provide for in the budget; "I have not budgeted for these expensive meals"
	7.	allow - afford possibility; "This problem admits of no solution"; "This short story allows of several different interpretations"admitallow for, allow, provide, leave - make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain; "This leaves no room for improvement"; "The evidence allows only one conclusion"; "allow for mistakes"; "leave lots of time for the trip"; "This procedure provides for lots of leeway"
	8.	allow - allow the other (baseball) team to score; "give up a run"give up
	9.	allow - grant as a discount or in exchange; "The camera store owner allowed me $50 on my old camera"discount - give a reduction in price on; "I never discount these books-they sell like hot cakes"
	10.	allow - allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting; "We don't allow dogs here"; "Children are not permitted beyond this point"; "We cannot tolerate smoking in the hospital"permit, toleratecountenance, permit, allow, let - consent to, give permission; "She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband"; "I won't let the police search her basement"; "I cannot allow you to see your exam"

allow

verb1. permit, approve, enable, sanction, endure, license, brook, endorse, warrant, tolerate, put up with (informal), authorize, stand, suffer, bear Smoking will not be allowed.
permit refuse, ban, forbid, prohibit, disallow, proscribe2. let, permit, sanction, authorize, license, tolerate, consent to, countenance, concede to, assent to, give leave to, give the green light for, give a blank cheque to He allows her to drive his Mercedes 300SE.
let deny, forbid3. give, provide, grant, spare, devote, assign, allocate, set aside, deduct, earmark, remit, allot Please allow 28 days for delivery.4. acknowledge, accept, admit, grant, recognize, yield, concede, confess, acquiesce He allows that the development may result in social inequality.allow for something take something into account, consider, plan for, accommodate, provide for, arrange for, foresee, make provision for, make allowances for, make concessions for, keep something in mind, set something aside for, take something into consideration You have to allow for a certain amount of error.

allow

verb1. To neither forbid nor prevent:have, let, permit, suffer, tolerate.2. To give one's consent to:approbate, approve, authorize, consent, endorse, let, permit, sanction.Informal: OK.3. To afford an opportunity for:admit, let, permit.4. To set aside or distribute as a share:admeasure, allocate, allot, apportion, assign, give, lot, measure out, mete (out).5. Chiefly Regional. To recognize, often reluctantly, the reality or truth of:acknowledge, admit, avow, concede, confess, grant, own (up).Slang: fess up.

Translations

允许给予考虑到

allow

(əˈlau) verb1. not to forbid or prevent. He allowed me to enter; Playing football in the street is not allowed.允许2. (with for) to take into consideration when judging or deciding. These figures allow for price rises.考虑到3. to give, especially for a particular purpose or regularly. His father allows him too much money.给予alˈlowance noun1. a fixed sum or quantity given regularly. His father made him an allowance of $20 a month. 津贴，补助，零用钱 2. something (usually a quantity) allowed. This dress pattern has a seam allowance of 1 cm. 允许量，限额 make allowance for to take into consideration when deciding etc. We've made allowance for the fact that everyone has different tastes.考虑到

allow

→ 允许zhCN

allow

allow nature to take its course

To let events develop and conclude naturally, i.e., as they would without outside intervention, help, or interference. The phrase can refer literally to nature or figuratively to manmade situations or events. Though I know people are eager to help those affected by the earthquake, unfortunately we have to allow nature to take its course before anything can be done. We've done as much preparation for the election as we can; we just have to allow nature to take her course tomorrow.See also: allow, course, nature, take

allow for

1. To plan for or consider something in advance. I didn't allow for traffic this morning, and now, I'm going to be late. The flowers haven't bloomed because I didn't allow for such cold weather.2. To have or portion an appropriate amount of something. I don't have any money to spare because I didn't allow for this sudden influx of bills when I made my monthly budget. I'm afraid we won't have enough food—I didn't allow for so many guests.See also: allow

allow (one) free rein

To give one complete freedom to do what one wants or chooses. Can you believe the boss allowed me free rein on this project? Finally, I can present a campaign with my own vision!See also: allow, free, rein

allow (something) full play

To develop something completely. That's a good concept, and I think we should allow it full play in our new ad campaign.See also: allow, full, play

allow (someone or something) in(to)

To permit entry. The club allowed me into their meeting. The garage is so crowded that the attendants wouldn't allow my car in.See also: allow

allow me

Let me do it. This is a set phrase that typically precedes a polite action or gesture. "Allow me," my date said before opening my car door. Allow me—I'll open the wine bottle.See also: allow

allow (one) up

To let someone rise from a prone position. If you're able to knock down your opponent, don't allow him up!See also: allow, up

give (one) free rein

To give one complete freedom to do what one wants or chooses. "Rein" refers to the reins of a horse. Can you believe the boss gave me free rein on this project? Finally, I can present a campaign with my own vision!See also: free, give, rein

allow (one) full rein

To give one complete freedom to do what one wants or chooses. Can you believe the boss allowed me full rein on this project? Finally, I can present a campaign with my own vision!See also: allow, full, rein

give (one) full rein

To give one complete freedom to do what one wants or chooses. Can you believe the boss gave me full rein on this project? Finally, I can present a campaign with my own vision!See also: full, give, rein

allow of (something)

To permit, enable, or suggest something. I think this plot could allow of several different endings, so I really can't predict where it's headed.See also: allow, of

allow for someone or something

1. to plan on having enough of something (such as food, space, etc.) for someone. Mary is bringing Bill on the picnic, so be sure to allow for him when buying the food. Allow for an extra person when setting the table tonight. 2. to plan on the possibility of something. Allow for a few rainy days on your vacation. Be sure to allow for future growth when you plant the rosebushes.See also: allow

allow me

and permit mePlease let me help you. (*Typically said by someone politely assisting another person, as by opening a door or providing some personal service. In Allow me, the stress is usually on me. In Permit me, the stress is usually on -mit.) Tom and Jane approached the door. "Allow me," said Tom, grabbing the doorknob. "Permit me," said Fred, pulling out a gold-plated lighter and lighting Jane's cigarette.See also: allow

allow someone or something into a place

and allow someone or something into permit someone or something to enter some place. Will they allow you in the restaurant without a tie? They won't allow in too many visitors.See also: allow, place

allow someone up

(from something) to permit someone to arise or get up. (Fixed phrase.) He knocked Peter down and would not allow him up from the ground. The doctor won't allow you up!See also: allow, up

allow something for something

1. to allocate a share or a suitable amount of something, such as time, money, space, etc., for some activity or goal. I allowed only an hour for lunch. They did not allow enough money for their expenditures this month. 2. to give consideration to circumstances or contingencies. We allowed room for expansion when we designed the building. Allowing for his youth and lack of experience, I forgave him completely for his oversight.See also: allow

*some elbow room

Fig. room to move about in; extra space to move about in. (*Typically: allow ~; get ~; have ~; give someone ~; need ~.) This table is too crowded. We all need some elbow room.See also: elbow, room

allow for

Leave room for, permit, as in We have enough chairs to allow for forty extra guests, or Our denomination allows for a large variety of beliefs. [Early 1700s] Also see make allowance. See also: allow

allow ˈme

(spoken) used to offer help politely: ‘I’ll just take these bags upstairs.’ ‘Allow me.’See also: allow

give/allow somebody/something free/full ˈrein

give/allow free/full ˈrein to somebody/something

not restrict, limit or control something: In a novel the author need not keep to the facts, but a textbook is not the place to give free rein to your imagination. OPPOSITE: keep a tight rein on somebody/somethingA rein is a long leather band that is fastened around a horse’s neck and used by the rider to control the speed of the horse.See also: allow, free, full, give, rein, somebody, something

allow for

v.1. To make some provision for something: The schedule allows time for a coffee break. The design of the building allows for an addition to be built at a later time.2. To take some possibility into account: I allowed for the possibility of rain by setting up a big tent at the picnic. The shipping company has to allow for some breakage of the products it ships to the stores.See also: allow

allow of

v. To offer or permit something as a possibility: The poem allows of several interpretations.See also: allow, of

allow

al·low

allow

al•low

allow

allow

allow

allow

allow

allow

allow

allow nature to take its course

allow for

allow (one) free rein

allow (something) full play

allow (someone or something) in(to)

allow me

allow (one) up

give (one) free rein

allow (one) full rein

give (one) full rein

allow of (something)

allow for someone or something

allow me

allow someone or something into a place

allow someone up

allow something for something

*some elbow room

allow for

allow ˈme

give/allow somebody/something free/full ˈrein

give/allow free/full ˈrein to somebody/something

allow for

allow of

Allow

allow

Synonyms for allow

verb permit

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Antonyms

verb let

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verb give

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verb acknowledge

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phrase allow for something

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Synonyms for allow

verb to neither forbid nor prevent

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verb to give one's consent to

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verb to afford an opportunity for

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verb to set aside or distribute as a share

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verb to recognize, often reluctantly, the reality or truth of

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Synonyms for allow

verb make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen

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Related Words

verb consent to, give permission

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Antonyms

verb let have

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Related Words

Antonyms

verb give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause

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verb make a possibility or provide opportunity for

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Related Words

verb allow or plan for a certain possibility

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