allowverb
uk/əˈlaʊ/us/əˈlaʊ/allow verb (GIVE PERMISSION)
B1 [ T ] to give permission for someone to do something, or to not prevent something from happening:
[ + to infinitive ] Do you think Dad will allow you to go to Jamie's party?
You're not allowed to talk during the exam.
Her proposals would allow (= make it possible for) more people to stay in full-time education.
The loophole has allowed hundreds of drink-drivers to avoid prosecution.
The government has refused to allow foreign journalists into the area for several weeks.
Prisoners have been moved to allow the demolition of part of the prison.
Pets aren't allowed in this hotel.
[ + -ing verb ] Smoking is not allowed in this restaurant.
[ + two objects ] He didn't allow us enough time to finish the test.
Red Cross officials were allowed access to the prison for the first time a few days ago.
UK The referee decided to allow (= officially accept) the goal.
At the weekend I allow myself (= I give myself the special pleasure of having) a box of chocolates.
How much time do you allow yourself (= make available to yourself) to get ready in the morning?
allow me old-fashioned
a polite expression used when offering to help in some way:
You can't carry all those bags yourself - please, allow me.
More examples
- There is no smoking allowed anywhere on school premises.
- You're not allowed to swim when the red flag is flying.
- After a long boring afternoon I was finally allowed to leave.
- "I will not allow that kind of behaviour in my class, " the teacher said severely.
- He took a step backwards to allow her to pass.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Allowing and permitting
- admit of sth
- allow of sth
- allowable
- authorization
- authorize
- concession
- green
- leave
- let
- let sb/sth in
- let sb/sth out
- licence
- license
- mandate
- OK
- open the floodgates idiom
- sanction
- submit
- unlicensed
- variance
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You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:
Polite expressions
allow verb (ADMIT)
[ + that ] formal to admit or agree that something is true:
She allowed that she might have been too suspicious.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Accepting & agreeing
- accept
- accredited
- assent
- be ruled by sb idiom
- buy-in
- conclude
- countenance
- court
- gauntlet
- leap
- listen to reason idiom
- middle ground
- mustn't grumble idiom
- pounce
- reach
- settlement
- signatory
- swallow
- take sb up on sth
- unquestioning
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Phrasal verb(s)
allow for sth
allow of sth