allow

Verb (10)allows, allowed, allowing

1. make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen“This permits the water to rush in”“This sealed door won't allow the water to come into the basement”“This will permit the rain to run off”Synonyms: letpermitOpposite keepMore general make, createMore specific pass, give up
2. consent to, give permission; permit“She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband”“I won't let the police search her basement”“I cannot allow you to see your exam”Synonyms: permitletcountenanceMore general accept, consentMore specific digest, authorize, admit, trust, privilege, legalize, give, permit, furloughSimilar grant
3. let have“grant permission”“Mandela was allowed few visitors in prison”Synonyms: grantOpposite denyMore general giveMore specific vouchsafe, allowanceSimilar permit, let
4. give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause“I will earmark this money for your research”“She sets aside time for meditation every day”Synonyms: appropriateearmarkset asidereserveMore general assign, allot
5. make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain“This leaves no room for improvement”“The evidence allows only one conclusion”“allow for mistakes”“leave lots of time for the trip”“This procedure provides for lots of leeway”Synonyms: leaveallow forprovideMore general yield, giveSimilar admit
6. allow or plan for a certain possibility; concede the truth or validity of something“I allow for this possibility”“The seamstress planned for 5% shrinkage after the first wash”Synonyms: take into accountMore general calculate, estimateMore specific budget for
7. afford possibility“This problem admits of no solution”“This short story allows of several different interpretations”Synonyms: admit
8. allow the other (baseball) team to score“give up a run”Synonyms: give up
9. grant as a discount or in exchange“The camera store owner allowed me $50 on my old camera”
10. allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting“We don't allow dogs here”“Children are not permitted beyond this point”“We cannot tolerate smoking in the hospital”Synonyms: permittolerate