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Glite Dictionary
✅ To permit 📝 To make provision ⏳ To set aside 💸 To give a deduction
to allow

to allow

767 1.0
To accept that something may be true or plan for it
  • verb
  • /əˈlaʊ/
translation icon : tener en cuenta
  • She's thankful that modern science has allowed her to keep doing the things she loves.
  • allow for the possibility
  • allow direct comparisons
  • allow for identification

I have empathy for others that allows me to step back.

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Examples

  • If you'll allow me, Jack, I'd like to prove my thesis beyond a shadow of doubt.

    Late Night with the Devil (2024)

  • The region's unique geographic circumstances do not allow for a neat application of this legal framework.

    Academic text (2008)

  • How long are you going to allow yourself to rest?

  • We, the resistance, cannot allow that to happen.

    Fear and Love: The Story of The Exorcist (2024)

  • See, I'm finally allowing the world to see a part of me that had been hidden for years.

    The Kill Room (2023)

  • After the first three months, the patients were allowed to engage in sexual intercourse.

    Academic text (2012)

  • Reducing the impacts of these species will require agreements that allow for internationally coordinated action.

    Academic text (2011)

  • I won't allow it!

    Hack-O-Lantern (1988)

  • Part of Mohammed VI's ruling formula was to allow a certain degree of Islamist political activity.

    Academic text (2012)

  • The teacher will allow extra time for students to complete their projects.

Synonyms

to accept
vsto allow
∞ 1.3

To believe or agree that something is true

also includes making provision for possibilities, not only confident belief
to recognize
vsto allow
  • Formal
377 1.4

To accept something as official or valid

is wider, covering general provision and private admission, not only official acts
to acknowledge
vsto allow
367 3.8

To admit that something is true or real

also covers making provision for possibilities, not only admitting truth
to grant
vsto allow
  • Formal
331 3.8

To admit that something is true, often reluctantly

is neutral in tone, not mainly a reluctant admission
to allow for
vsto allow
158 3.1

Consider or include something when planning

is more general and not limited to planning or calculations
to take into account
vsto allow
103 3.2

Consider something when making a decision

is used more for planning generally rather than only in decisions
to make it possible
vsto allow
88 2.4

To allow someone or something to do what they could not before

is about preparing or acknowledging possibility rather than actively creating it
to admit
vsto allow
  • Formal
68 3.6

Make something possible

is used to plan or prepare for possible events rather than only afford possibility

Antonyms

to dismiss
332 3.0

To refuse to accept an idea or claim

Phrasal Verbs

to allow in
172 1.3

Let someone or something enter a place

to allow for
158 3.1

Consider or include something when planning

How Considered

to accept
∞ 1.3
to acknowledge
367 3.8
to allow
767 1.0
to note
951 1.6
to dismiss
332 3.0

Surface Forms

allow infinitive
allowed past
allowed past participle
allowing present participle
allows third person singular

Etymology

Allow kept the old idea of 'making room' or 'accepting' something, so to 'allow for' a problem is to 'leave room' for it — you admit it might happen and plan for it.