{
    "term": "allow",
    "partOfSpeech": "verb",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a2",
    "verbForms": {
        "presentSimple": {
            "iYouWeThey": "allow",
            "heSheIt": "allows"
        },
        "pastSimple": "allowed",
        "pastParticiple": "allowed",
        "ingForm": "allowing"
    },
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to let somebody/something do something; to let something happen or be done",
            "sensetop": "allow somebody/something to do somethingbe allowed to do somethingallow yourself to do somethingbe allowedallow something",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "His parents won't allow him to stay out late.",
                    "contextForm": "allow somebody/something to do something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He allowed his mind to wander."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The law allowed companies to dismiss workers without any reason."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He is not allowed to stay out late.",
                    "contextForm": "be allowed to do something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Students are **only allowed** to use the equipment under supervision."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This research must be allowed to continue."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He refused to allow himself to be kept quiet.",
                    "contextForm": "allow yourself to do something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She won't allow herself to be dictated to."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Eating is not allowed in the classrooms.",
                    "contextForm": "be allowed"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He received the maximum sentence allowed by law."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We do not allow eating in the classrooms.",
                    "contextForm": "allow something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "You are not allowed to ride bicycles on a motorway."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This kind of activity is not legally allowed under the current rules."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Permission and obligation"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to let somebody have something",
            "sensetop": "allow somebody/yourself something",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "You're allowed an hour to complete the test."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'm not allowed visitors."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I allow myself a treat now and then."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She allowed herself a thin smile of triumph."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "to let somebody/something go into, through, out of, etc. a place",
            "sensetop": "(be) allowedbe allowed + adv./prep.allow somebody/something + adv.prep.",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "No dogs allowed *(= you cannot bring them in)*.",
                    "contextForm": "(be) allowed"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The prisoners are **allowed out** of their cells for two hours a day.",
                    "contextForm": "be allowed + adv./prep."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They weren't **allowed into** the country."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He was knocking at the door waiting to be **allowed in**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You won't be **allowed up** *(= out of bed)* for several days."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The crowd parted to **allow her through**.",
                    "contextForm": "allow somebody/something + adv.prep."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Motor vehicles are not allowed in the park."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We aren't allowed out after 10 p.m."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "to make something possible",
            "sensetop": "allow somethingallow somebody somethingallow somebody to do something",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "A ramp allows easy access for wheelchairs.",
                    "contextForm": "allow something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The system allows people the opportunity to browse a wide selection of books.",
                    "contextForm": "allow somebody something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The new technology allows users to choose exactly what they watch and when.",
                    "contextForm": "allow somebody to do something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The pressure cooker is designed to allow faster cooking at lower temperatures."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The increased space allows powerful search features to be incorporated."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The new community centre will allow people to meet up more and enjoy themselves."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Wear clothing that allows easy movement."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "to make sure that you have enough of something for a particular purpose",
            "sensetop": "allow something (for somebody/something)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "How much time would you allow for the trip?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "You need to allow three metres of fabric for the dress."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "to accept or admit something; to agree that something is true or correct",
            "sensetop": "allow somethingallow that…allow somebody something",
            "labels": "(formal)",
            "cefr": "c2",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The judge allowed my claim.",
                    "contextForm": "allow something"
                },
                {
                    "text": "*(= in a court of law)* ‘Objection!’ ‘I'll allow it.’"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He refuses to allow that such a situation could arise.",
                    "contextForm": "allow that…"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She was very helpful when my mother was ill—I'll allow you that.",
                    "contextForm": "allow somebody something"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Discussion and agreement"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to offer help politely",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "‘Allow me,’ he said, taking the tray from her."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to give somebody complete freedom of action; to allow a feeling to be expressed freely",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The designer was given free rein."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The script allows full rein to her larger-than-life acting style."
                },
                {
                    "text": "When I paint I just give my imagination free rein."
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/əˈlaʊ/",
                "audio": "al/allow/allow__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/əˈlaʊz/",
                "audio": "al/allow/allows__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/əˈlaʊd/",
                "audio": "al/allow/allowed__gb_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/əˈlaʊɪŋ/",
                "audio": "al/allow/allowing__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/əˈlaʊ/",
                "audio": "al/allow/allow__us_2.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/əˈlaʊz/",
                "audio": "al/allow/allows__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/əˈlaʊd/",
                "audio": "al/allow/allowed__us_1.mp3"
            },
            {
                "pronunciation": "/əˈlaʊɪŋ/",
                "audio": "al/allow/allowing__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "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’."
}