Verb A2 — Elementary /əˈlaʊ/

Allow — Definition, Examples & Pronunciation

To give permission for something — one of the most useful verbs in everyday English.

Quick Definition

To allow means to permit something to happen or to let someone do something.

What Does Allow Mean?

The word allow is one of the most frequently used words in the English language. It appears in everyday conversation, academic writing, news media, and literature at A2 — Elementary level. Learners who master allow alongside its common collocations and word family will find their fluency improving rapidly.

Understanding exactly when and how to use allow requires attention to context. Many ESL learners know the basic meaning but struggle with the subtle differences between allow and its nearest synonyms. Paying attention to how native speakers use the word in real sentences — rather than just memorising an isolated definition — is the key to internalising it correctly.

The word family built around allow extends its usefulness considerably. Related adjectives, adverbs, and nouns built on the same root allow you to express nuanced ideas with greater precision. When you learn allow, try to also learn two or three related forms so that you can use the concept flexibly across different grammatical contexts.

Example Sentences

SentenceUsage note
She needed to allow in this situation.basic use
It is allow to understand the context.adjective/verb context
The teacher asked students to allow the exercise.educational context

Synonyms

permitletauthoriseapproveenablegrant

Antonyms

forbidbanpreventprohibitdisallowblock

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

Common mistake: misusing allow without correct grammar pattern.

Correct: always study allow in full sentence context to see how it combines with other words.

Related Vocabulary

All Common Words → Grammar Glossary Vocabulary Hub Flash Cards

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “allow”

What does allow mean?
Allow means: To give permission for something to happen or for someone to do something. It is commonly used at A2 — Elementary level in English and appears frequently in both spoken and written English.
What part of speech is allow?
Allow is a verb. It describes an action or state. Understanding the part of speech helps you use allow in grammatically correct sentences.
How do you use allow in a sentence?
Here are three examples: 1) 'This is a allow situation.' 2) 'We need to allow carefully.' 3) 'The allow of this process is important.' The word allow works best when you study it in full context rather than in isolation.
What is the CEFR level for allow?
The word allow is at A2 — Elementary on the CEFR scale. This means it is part of the core beginner vocabulary every learner should know first.
What are synonyms for allow?
Common synonyms include words that share a similar meaning to allow. When choosing a synonym, always consider the context — slight differences in meaning or register can change how natural a sentence sounds. Practise with LexFizz Flash Cards to learn synonyms efficiently.
What is the opposite of allow?
The opposite (antonym) of allow helps you understand the full range of meaning. Knowing antonyms alongside the main word doubles your vocabulary in one go. For example, learning 'fast' and 'slow' together makes both words stick better in memory.
Is allow formal or informal?
The word allow is versatile and works in both formal and informal contexts at A2 — Elementary level. In academic writing, you may find more specific synonyms used in its place, but allow itself is entirely appropriate in essays, reports, emails, and conversations.
How do I remember the meaning of allow?
Try associating allow with a vivid image or a memorable sentence. Writing three example sentences with allow and saying them aloud is one of the most effective memorisation strategies. LexFizz's Flash Cards exercise uses spaced repetition to help vocabulary like allow transfer to long-term memory.
What are common collocations with allow?
Collocations are words that naturally appear together. Learning allow as part of a collocation phrase rather than in isolation makes it much easier to use correctly. Study real-world examples in articles, stories, and exercises to build a natural sense for which words combine with allow.
How can I practise using allow on LexFizz?
LexFizz's Flash Cards, Complete the Sentence, and Quiz exercises all feature high-frequency vocabulary including allow. Try the Hangman exercise for a fun way to revise spelling, and use the Word Search to recognise allow quickly in context. Regular short practice sessions are more effective than occasional long ones.