Allow

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /əˈlaʊ/

Definitions

1. To permit or give permission for something to happen or someone to do something
2. To give consent or authorization for an action to occur or for someone to do something
3. To grant permission or enable a specific action or behavior to take place freely

Etymology: The verb at hand has roots that stretch back to the Old French term "alouer," which meant "to praise" or "approve." This word itself came from the Latin "ad-" meaning "to" and "laudare," meaning "to praise." Originally, the sense was more about expressing approval or giving positive recognition, rather than permitting something as we understand it today. Over time, the meaning shifted from approval to granting permission or making something possible. This semantic evolution likely reflects the social function of approval as a form of consent—once something was praised or approved, it was effectively allowed to happen. By the late Middle English period, around the 14th or 15th century, the word had settled into its current sense of permitting or letting something occur. Interestingly, the connection between "allow" and "laud" shows how notions of praise and permission were closely linked in earlier language use. While "laud" retained its focus on expressing admiration, "allow" branched off toward the more practical concept of authorization. In modern English, the pronunciation settled with the stress on the second syllable, a common pattern for verbs with this root. The journey from "praise" to "permit" encapsulates how social interactions and approvals can shape the meanings of words over centuries.

Synonyms: permit, enable, authorize, let, grant

Antonyms: forbid, prevent, prohibit, restrict, deny