[+ obj] 1 a : to permit (something) : to regard or treat (something) as acceptable
▪ a religion that does not allow divorce ▪ They don't allow smoking in this hotel. ▪ I want to change my schedule, but my boss won't allow it.
b : to permit (someone) to have or do something
▪ He allowed her to leave. [=he let her leave] ▪ My boss wouldn't allow me to change my schedule. ▪ They don't allow people to smoke in this hotel. ▪ He allows himself (to have) many luxuries. — used in the phrase allow me to make a polite offer to help someone ▪ Allow me to get/open the door for you. ▪ If you're going to remodel your kitchen, allow me to offer a few suggestions.
c : to permit (someone) to go or come in, out, etc.
▪ Women were not allowed in/into the club. ▪ The hospital doesn't allow visitors after 8 p.m. ▪ Those children are too young to be allowed (to go) out at night. 2 a : to make it possible for someone or something to have or do something
▪ Her experience allows her to handle difficult situations easily. [=she can handle difficult situations easily because of her experience] ▪ Her schedule doesn't allow her any time to run errands. ▪ The system allows you to transfer data easily from one computer to another.
b : to make it possible for something to happen
▪ Occasional gaps allow passage through the mountains. ▪ a password that allows access to the system ▪ The system allows the easy transfer of data from one computer to another. = The system allows data to be transferred easily from one computer to another.
c : to fail to prevent something or someone from being, becoming, or doing something
▪ They allowed the garden to become overgrown with weeds. ▪ These conditions should never have been allowed to develop. ▪ I was surprised to see that she had allowed herself to become so fat. [=that she had become so fat] 3 : to include (a quantity of time, money, etc.) as an appropriate amount
▪ When you're planning your day you should allow an hour for lunch. ▪ Their parents allowed five dollars for each child as spending money. ▪ We need to allow (ourselves) enough time to get the job done properly. 4 a : to accept (something)
▪ The judge decided to allow the evidence.
b : to admit (something)
▪ His job played a more important part in his life than his biographer allows. — usually + that or (US, informal) as how ▪ She allowed that the work was hard. = She allowed as how the work was hard. [=she admitted that the work was hard] 5 sports : to let an opposing team or player have or score (a goal, a hit, etc.)
▪ The pitcher allowed five hits and three runs in the first two innings. ▪ allow a goal ▪ The defense has not allowed a touchdown in the past three games.