Allow Word Meaning

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)

let (someone) have or do something

let someone have or do

• the dissident was allowed to leave the country
• she was allowed a higher profile

give the necessary time or opportunity for

give opportunity for

• they agreed to a ceasefire to allow talks with the government
• he stopped to allow his eyes to adjust

admit the truth of; concede

admit to be true

• he allowed that the penalty appeared too harsh for the crime
• ‘Could happen,’ she allowed indifferently