to let

/lɛt/

Definition & Meaning of "let"

to let

VERB

to allow something to happen or someone to do something

Ditransitive: to let sb/sth do sth

Example

Do n't let the rainy weather ruin your mood.

I will let you borrow my book if you promise to return it.

1.1

to allow someone or something to pass in a specific direction

Transitive: to let sb/sth somewhere

Example

Could you let the dog out before we leave?

Let me through.

1.2

to not prevent something from happening, or provide conditions that enable it

Ditransitive: to let sb/sth do sth

Example

He let the door slam behind him.

I let myself be lured into buying the expensive shoes.

to allow someone to use one's property in exchange for an amount paid regularly

Dialect

British

Ditransitive: to let one's property to sb

Example

He let his spare room to a student.

I 'm letting my apartment to a new tenant.

used to politely make or respond to suggestions, or give instructions or remarks

Ditransitive: to let sb do sth

Example

Let me introduce you to my colleagues.

Let's chat over coffee.

used for politely offering help to someone

Ditransitive: to let sb do sth

Example

' Here, let me grab that for you,' said Jane.

' Please, let me help you with your bags,' he said, reaching for them.

used for expressing that one is not worried or frightened about someone doing a certain thing

Ditransitive: to let sb do sth

Example

If they think they can intimidate us, let them try.

If they want to give up, let them do so.

used for expressing a strong wish for something to take place or be the case

Ditransitive: to let sb/sth do sth

Example

' Oh, please let this work out,' she whispered to herself.

' Please let this be a misunderstanding,' he hoped.

used for expressing that one is assuming something to be the case in order to form a theory or to calculate something

Ditransitive: to let sth do sth

Example

Let A be the area of the square with side length s.

Let H be a hypothesis that we want to test.

Let

NOUN

(racket sports) a serve that does not count because of a small problem, like the ball hitting the net or a distraction, and is played again

What is a "let"?

In sports, particularly tennis, "let" refers to a situation where a serve is interrupted and is replayed without penalty. This typically happens when the served ball touches the net but still lands in the correct service box. A let can also occur if there is an external disruption, such as a noise or obstruction during the serve. When a let is called, the point is not counted, and the player is allowed to serve again without any change to the score. It is essentially a reset of the serve, ensuring fairness.

Example

The umpire called a let when the ball hit the net during the serve.

Her serve was a let because someone in the crowd moved.

an act of renting a house, apartment, room, etc.; an apartment, a house, or a piece of land that is can be rented

Dialect

British