allow

al|low [ ə`lau ] verb transitive ***

▸ 1 give permission

▸ 2 give someone an opportunity

▸ 3 provide enough of something

▸ 4 in a court of law

▸ 5 accept something is true

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) to give someone permission to do or have something:

I'm sorry, sir, but smoking is not allowed.

allow someone to do something: She only allows the children to watch television on the weekends.

I'm not allowed to drive my dad's car.

allow someone something: Some prisoners are allowed visitors.

allow yourself something: I'm on a diet but I allow myself an occasional piece of cake.

allow someone in/back/through etc.: If you leave the club, you will not be allowed back in.

2. ) to give someone or something the time or opportunity to do something:

allow something to do something: Allow the cake to cool for five minutes before taking it out of the pan.

allow someone to do something: Unfortunately, they didn't allow me to explain the thinking behind my decision.

a ) if something such as an object or situation allows you to do something, it makes it possible for you to do it:

allow someone to do something: A VCR allows you to record programs and watch them later.

3. ) to make certain that you have enough of something such as time, food, or money for a particular purpose:

Please allow 28 days for delivery.

How much rice do you allow for each person?

4. ) LEGAL to decide that a piece of information is acceptable in a court of law:

This evidence will not be allowed in court.

5. ) allow that FORMAL to admit or accept that something is true:

She allowed that the matter was serious.

al`low ,for phrasal verb transitive

allow for something to consider something when making a plan or calculation:

The cost of the new road, allowing for inflation, is around $17 million.

The survey does not allow for the fact that some students are attending part-time.