Word
allocate
Phoneticsal·lo·cate, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæɫəˌkeɪt/
UK/ˈæləkˌeɪt/
Definition
v. to decide that a specific amount of money, time, or space should be used for a particular purpose. You use this when you are giving out resources to different people or tasks.
v. to distribute resources or duties for a specific purpose or to particular recipients. Transitive; frequently used in administrative, financial, or technical contexts to describe the formal assignment of assets.
Examples
“The manager needs to allocate more time to this project.”
“The local government decided to allocate a larger portion of the budget to improving public parks this year.”
“In high-performance computing, the operating system must efficiently allocate memory to various processes to prevent system crashes and ensure smooth multitasking.”
Examples
simple
“The manager needs to allocate more time to this project.”
contextual
“The local government decided to allocate a larger portion of the budget to improving public parks this year.”
complex
“In high-performance computing, the operating system must efficiently allocate memory to various processes to prevent system crashes and ensure smooth multitasking.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “allocate” in context.
Verb
01. allocate resource
“The committee must decide how to allocate resources effectively across all departments.”
verb + noun
02. allocate time
“You need to allocate enough time for the research phase of your dissertation.”
verb + noun
Usage
The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. It often takes the preposition 'to' for the recipient or 'for' for the purpose.
Pitfall
The committee allocated for the project.
The committee allocated funds for the project.
Allocate is transitive and must have a direct object (the resource being given) before the prepositional phrase.
Real-World Examples
“Globally, ESG investing has grown significantly, with investors increasingly considering firms' sustainability performance when allocating capital.” “Madrid allocates Ceuta an ordinary reception capacity of 29 places, but shelters are now holding about 1,350 children, RTVE reported.” Etymology
From Latin allocātus, perfect passive participle of Latin allocō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from ad- (“to”) + locō. Doublet of allow.
From Middle English allocat(e) (“allocated”), originally used as the past participle of allocate, from Latin allocātus, see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more.
From Middle English allocate (the common first word of writs authorizing payment), from Medieval Latin allocātum, substantivized from the nominative neuter singular of allocātus, see -ate (noun-forming suffix) and Etymology 1 for more. Alternatively, from allocāte, the second-person plural imperative of allocō, compare English liberate (“a warrant for the payment of a pension, allowance, debt, etc.”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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QR code
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