allowBrE /əˈlaʊ/
NAmE /əˈlaʊ/
verb
verb forms
| present simple |
| I / you / we /they | allow |
| BrE /əˈlaʊ/ |
| NAmE /əˈlaʊ/ |
| he / she /it | allows |
| BrE /əˈlaʊz/ |
| NAmE /əˈlaʊz/ |
| past simple, past participle | allowed |
| BrE /əˈlaʊd/ |
| NAmE /əˈlaʊd/ |
| -ing form | allowing |
| BrE /əˈlaʊɪŋ/ |
| NAmE /əˈlaʊɪŋ/ |
word origin
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’, from ad- ‘to’ + locare, from locus ‘place’.
thesaurus
allow verb1 [T]
I'm not allowed to stay out late.let 
entitle authorize license clear grant | informal OK/okay | formal permit sanction empower
forbid
allow/entitle/authorize/license/clear/permit/empower sb to do sth let sb do sth allow/let/permit yourself sth/(to) do sth2 [T]Wear clothing that allows easy movement.enable | formal permitprevent allow/enable/permit sb to do sth allow/enable/permit access allow/enable/permit the creation/development/expansion of sthAllow or permit?Permit is more formal than allow and is used especially in the fixed phrases if time permits and weather permitting. 
language bank
processDescribing a process
This diagram illustrates the process of paper-making. / This diagram shows how paper is made. First/First of all, logs are delivered to a paper mill, where the bark is removed and the wood is cut into small chips. Next/Second, the wood chips are pulped, either using chemicals or in a pulping machine. Pulping breaks down the internal structure of the wood and enables/allows the natural oils to be removed. Once/After the wood has been pulped, the pulp is bleached in order to remove impurities. /…is bleached so that impurities can be removed. The next stage is to feed the pulp into the paper machine, where it is mixed with water and then poured onto a wire conveyor belt. As the pulp travels along the conveyor belt, the water drains away. This causes the solid material to sink to the bottom, forming a layer of paper. At this point the new paper is still wet, so it is passed between large heated rollers, which press out the remaining water and simultaneously dry the paper. / …dry the paper at the same time. The final stage is to wind the paper onto large rolls. /Finally, the paper is wound onto large rolls.
notes at firstly, lastly Language Banks at conclusion, first 
example bank
The pressure cooker is designed to allow faster cooking at lower temperatures.We aren't allowed out after 10 p.m.You are not allowed to ride bicycles on a motorway.‘Objection!’ ‘I'll allow it.’A ramp has been installed to allow better access for wheelchairs.He is allowed visitors for ten minutes once a week.His parents won't allow him to stay out late.Motor vehicles are not allowed in the park.No dogs allowed.She was very helpful when my mother was ill—I'll allow you that.She won't allow herself to be dictated to.Smoking is not allowed in here.The crowd parted to allow her though.The increased space allows powerful search features to be incorporated.The new community centre will allow people to meet up more and enjoy themselves.The patient was not allowed up for a week.The schedule is designed to allow maximum flexibility.They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it.Wear clothing that allows easy movement.You are not allowed to smoke in here.You're allowed half an hour to complete the test. let sb/sth do sth 
1 to let sb/sth do sth; to let sth happen or be done~ sb to do sth His parents won't allow him to stay out late. He is not allowed to stay out late.They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it.~ sth to do sth He allowed his mind to wander.~ yourself to do sth She won't allow herself to be dictated to.~ sth Smoking is not allowed in the hall.We do not allow smoking in the hall. 2 ~ sb/yourself sth to let sb have sthYou're allowed an hour to complete the test. I'm not allowed visitors.I sometimes allow myself the luxury of a cigar. 3 [usually passive] to let sb/sth go into, through, out of, etc. a place~ sth No dogs allowed (= you cannot bring them in).~ sb/sth + adv./prep. The prisoners are allowed out of their cells for two hours a day.The crowd parted to allow her through.You won't be allowed up (= out of bed) for several days. make possible 4 ~ sth to make sth possibleA ramp allows easy access for wheelchairs. time/money/food, etc. 5 ~ sth (for sb/sth) to make sure that you have enough of sth for a particular purposeHow much time would you allow for the trip? You need to allow three metres of fabric for the dress. accept/admit 6 (formal) to accept or admit sth; to agree that sth is true or correct~ sth The judge allowed my claim.(in a court of law) ‘Objection!’ ‘I'll allow it.’~ that… He refuses to allow that such a situation could arise.~ sb sth She was very helpful when my mother was ill—I'll allow you that. compare disallow
allow ˈmeused to offer help politely‘Allow me,’ he said, taking the tray from her. more at give/allow sb/sth free/full reingive/allow free/full rein to sth at rein n.
alˈlow for sb/sth to consider or include sb/sth when calculating sthIt will take about an hour to get there, allowing for traffic delays. All these factors must be allowed for. alˈlow of sth (formal) to make sth possibleThe facts allow of only one explanation.
