Word
let
US/ˈɫɛt/
UK/lˈɛt/
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
let
Past
let
Past participle
let
Definitions
01to allow
A1 · Beginner
v. to give someone permission to do something or to not stop them.
v. to permit or allow an action to occur; functions as a causative verb followed by a bare infinitive.
“My boss let me leave work early because I had a doctor's appointment.”
“The security guard refused to let the visitors enter the building without showing their identification badges first.”
Usage
Takes a direct object followed by a bare infinitive (without 'to').
Pitfall
My parents let me to go to the party.
My parents let me go to the party.
Do not use 'to' after 'let'. Use the base form of the verb.
02to rent out
B1 · Intermediate British English
v. to allow someone to live in a house or room in exchange for money.
v. to grant the use or occupation of property in exchange for rent.
“They decided to let their spare bedroom to a university student.”
“The landlord intends to let the apartment for a minimum of twelve months to ensure a steady rental income.”
Usage
Often used in the phrase 'to let'.
03tennis serve
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Sports Technical
n. in tennis, a serve that hits the net but still lands in the right area.
n. a serve that touches the net but lands in the correct service box, requiring the point to be replayed.
“The umpire called a let, so the player had to serve again.”
“The tension increased when the first serve resulted in a let, forcing the champion to reset her focus for the replay.”
Confusables
Allow requires the to-infinitive, while let requires the bare infinitive.
RememberAllow to; let go.
Word family
VERB
PHRASAL VERB
Related words
Idioms
01. buy to let
02. don't let the door hit you on the way out
05. let crazy stick its dick in you
06. let down
07. let drive
08. let fly
Show all 43
11. let it alone
12. let it be
13. let loose
14. let me tell you
15. let nature take its course
16. let off
17. let on
18. let one go
20. let oneself go
22. let slide
23. let slip
25. let someone go
28. let that sink in
30. let the cat out of the bag
31. let the chips fall where they may
32. let the grass grow under one's feet
33. let the perfect be the enemy of the good
35. let things alone
36. let things be
38. let well alone
40. let's get the party started
Grammar
- 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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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