to allow
Pronunciation
/əˈlaʊ/

Definition & Meaning of "allow"in English

to allow
01

to let someone or something do a particular thing

Transitive: to allow sth
Ditransitive: to allow sb to do sth
to allow definition and meaning
Grammatical Information
Action verb
Regular
Present tense
allow
3rd person singular
allows
Past simple
allowed
Past participle
allowed
Examples
She allowed her children to play in the park.
1.1

to let someone or something enter or exit a particular place or go in a certain direction

Transitive: to allow sb/sth somewhere
Examples
Pets are allowed in the park, but they must be leashed.
1.2

to let someone have a particular thing

Ditransitive: to allow sb sth
Examples
I allow myself a cup of coffee in the morning.
1.3

to let a particular thing take place or be done

Transitive: to allow an action
Examples
Smoking is not allowed in this building.
02

to make a specific thing possible, particularly something useful or helpful

Transitive: to allow for an action
Examples
The budget increase allows for the hiring of additional staff members.
2.1

to make sure one has a sufficient amount of something such as time, food, money, etc. available for a specific purpose

Transitive: to allow time, space, or resource
Examples
Allow plenty of space in your suitcase for souvenirs.
03

to acknowledge or accept the truth, validity, or correctness of something

Transitive: to allow sth | to allow that
Examples
Can you allow that you might have been mistaken in this case?
LanGeek
Download LanGeek app
langeek application

Download Mobile App

App Store