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   allow

   /əˈlaʊ/

   verb

   • 1. let (someone) have or do something: "the dissident was allowed to leave the country" Similar permitletauthorizegive someone permission togive authorization togive leave tosanctiongrantgrant someone the rightlicenseempowerenableentitlequalifyconsent toassent togive one's consent/assent togive one's blessing togive someone/something the nodacquiesce inagree toaccede toapprove oftoleratecountenancesufferbrookadmit oflegalizelegitimatizelegitimateinformal:give the go-ahead togive the thumbs up toOKgive the OK togive the green light tosay the wordOpposite preventforbid
   • ▪ let (someone) enter a place or go in a particular direction: "the river was patrolled and few people were allowed across"
   • ▪ declare or decide that (an event or activity) is legal or acceptable: "political advertising on television is not allowed"
   • 2. give the necessary time or opportunity for: "they agreed to a ceasefire to allow talks with the government"
   • ▪ make provision or provide scope for: "the house was demolished to allow for road widening" Similar provide forplan formake plans forget ready forcater fortake into considerationtake into accountmake provision formake preparations forprepare foraccommodatemake allowances formake concessions forarrange forbargain forreckon withOpposite discount
   • ▪ take (something) into consideration when making plans or calculations: "income rose by 11 per cent allowing for inflation"
   • ▪ provide or set aside for a particular purpose: "allow an hour or so for driving" Similar set asideallocateallotearmarkdesignatesparedevotegiveaffordapportionassign
   • 3. admit the truth of; concede: "he allowed that the penalty appeared too harsh for the crime" Similar admitacknowledgerecognizeagreeacceptconcedegrantownconfessaccedeOpposite deny
   • ▪ be of the opinion; assert: informal, dialect North American, British "Lincoln allowed that he himself could never support the man"

   Word Origin Middle English (originally in the senses ‘commend, sanction’ and ‘assign as a right’): from Old French alouer, from Latin allaudare ‘to praise’, reinforced by medieval Latin allocare ‘to place’ (see allocate).

   Scrabble Points: 8

   • A

     1

   • L

     1

   • L

     1

   • O

     1

   • W

     4

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