# allow

/əˈɫaʊ/ (US) · /ɐlˈaʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/allow
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to permit

verb · CEFR A2

to give someone permission to do something or to let something happen.

For teachers: to permit or give consent to an action or condition. Often used with an object and a to-infinitive.

- The teacher will allow us to use our notes during the final exam.
- The security protocols do not allow visitors to enter the laboratory without a verified digital pass and a physical escort.

Usage: Takes a direct object followed by a to-infinitive, or a gerund if no object is present (e.g., 'they don't allow smoking').

### 2. to provide or allocate

verb · CEFR B1

to give someone a specific amount of time, money, or space for a purpose.

For teachers: to provide or set aside a specific portion of a resource for a particular person or use.

- You should allow at least thirty minutes for the paint to dry completely.
- The budget allows five hundred dollars for incidental travel expenses, provided that all receipts are submitted by the end of the month.

### 3. to admit or concede

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to admit that something is true, even if you do not want to.

For teachers: to acknowledge or concede the truth of a statement, often as part of a larger argument.

- He had to allow that her plan was much better than his own.
- The judge allowed that the defendant had been under significant stress, though this did not excuse the breach of contract.

### 4. to make possible

verb · CEFR B1

to make it possible for something to happen.

For teachers: to render an event or state physically or logically possible.

- The new windows allow more natural light into the living room.
- The modular design of the spacecraft allows for rapid repairs even while the vessel is in transit.

### 5. to grant a legal request

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Technical

to officially agree to a request in a court of law.

For teachers: to rule in favour of a motion, claim, or appeal within a legal proceeding.

- The judge decided to allow the appeal after hearing the new evidence.
- The court chose to allow the motion for discovery, compelling the corporation to release its internal emails from the period in question.

### 6. to let something slide

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang · Dialect

to stop worrying about something or to leave someone alone.

For teachers: to forgo bothering with something or to cease an annoying activity; often used as an imperative.

- Just allow it, man; it's not worth getting into a fight over.
- He was going to complain about the noise, but his friend told him to just allow it and keep walking.

Teaching tip: This sense is specific to Multicultural London English (MLE) and is very informal; learners should avoid using it in academic or professional settings.

## Examples

- My parents allow me to stay out late on weekends.
- The new security policy does not allow visitors to enter the building without a valid photo ID.
- While the current regulations allow for some flexibility in reporting, the proposed changes will require strict adherence to a standardized monthly format.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.