af·ford
Pronounced:
/əˈfoɚd/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
af·fords; af·ford·ed; af·ford·ingMeaning:
[+ obj] 1 : to be able to pay for (something) ▪ We were too poor to afford a doctor. ▪ He'll be able to afford a house next year. ▪ Don't spend more than you can afford. ▪ They couldn't afford new coats for the children. —often followed by to + verb ▪ They couldn't afford to buy new coats for the children. ▪ Don't spend more than you can afford to (spend).
2 : to be able to do (something) without having problems or being seriously harmed ▪ We can afford waiting a while longer. —usually followed by to + verb ▪ We can afford to wait a while longer. —usually used in negative constructions ▪ She's already too thin. She can't afford to lose any more weight. = She can ill afford to lose any more weight.
3 formal : to supply or provide (something needed or wanted) to someone ▪ All of the rooms afford views of the lake. ▪ He was afforded the opportunity to work for a judge.
2 : to be able to do (something) without having problems or being seriously harmed ▪ We can afford waiting a while longer. —usually followed by to + verb ▪ We can afford to wait a while longer. —usually used in negative constructions ▪ She's already too thin. She can't afford to lose any more weight. = She can ill afford to lose any more weight.
3 formal : to supply or provide (something needed or wanted) to someone ▪ All of the rooms afford views of the lake. ▪ He was afforded the opportunity to work for a judge.
—af·ford·abil·i·ty /əˌfordəˈbɪləti/ noun [noncount] ▪ the affordability of health care
/əˌfordəˈbɪləti/ noun [noncount] ▪ the affordability of health care—af·ford·able /əˈfordəbəl/ adjective [more af*ford*able; most af*ford*able] ▪ a more affordable car ▪ affordable housing [=housing that is not overly expensive] ▪ an affordable price
/əˈfordəbəl/ adjective [more af*ford*able; most af*ford*able] ▪ a more affordable car ▪ affordable housing [=housing that is not overly expensive] ▪ an affordable price