The difference between Allow and Let

When used as verbs, allow means to grant, give, admit, accord, afford, or yield, whereas let means to allow to, not to prevent (+ infinitive, but usually without ).


Let is also noun with the meaning: the allowing of possession of a property etc. in exchange for rent.

check bellow for the other definitions of Allow and Let

  1. Allow as a verb (transitive):

    To grant, give, admit, accord, afford, or yield; to let one have.

    Examples:

    "to allow a servant his liberty; to allow a free passage; to allow one day for rest"

  2. Allow as a verb (transitive):

    To acknowledge; to accept as true; to concede; to accede to an opinion.

    Examples:

    "to allow a right; to allow a claim; to allow the truth of a proposition"

  3. Allow as a verb (transitive):

    To grant (something) as a deduction or an addition; especially to abate or deduct.

    Examples:

    "To allow a sum for leakage."

  4. Allow as a verb (transitive):

    To grant license to; to permit; to consent to.

    Examples:

    "To allow a son to be absent."

    "Smoking allowed only in designated areas."

  5. Allow as a verb:

    To not bar or obstruct.

    Examples:

    "Although I don't consent to their holding such meetings, I will allow them for the time being."

  6. Allow as a verb (intransitive):

    To acknowledge or concede.

  7. Allow as a verb (transitive):

    To take into account by making an allowance.

    Examples:

    "When calculating a budget for a construction project, always allow for [[contingency contingencies]]."

  8. Allow as a verb (transitive):

    To render physically possible.

  9. Allow as a verb (transitive, obsolete):

    To praise; to approve of; hence, to sanction.

  10. Allow as a verb (obsolete):

    To sanction; to invest; to entrust.

  11. Allow as a verb (transitive, obsolete):

    To like; to be suited or pleased with.

  1. Let as a verb (transitive):

    To allow to, not to prevent (+ infinitive, but usually without ).

    Examples:

    "After he knocked for hours, I decided to let him come in."

  2. Let as a verb (transitive):

    To leave.

    Examples:

    "'Let me alone!"

  3. Let as a verb (transitive):

    To allow the release of (a fluid).

    Examples:

    "The physicians let about a pint of his blood, but to no avail."

  4. Let as a verb (transitive):

    To allow possession of (a property etc.) in exchange for rent.

    Examples:

    "I decided to let the farmhouse to a couple while I was working abroad."

  5. Let as a verb (transitive):

    To give, grant, or assign, as a work, privilege, or contract; often with out.

    Examples:

    "to let the building of a bridge;  to let out the lathing and the plastering"

  6. Let as a verb (transitive):

    Examples:

    "'Let's put on a show!"

    "'Let us have a moment of silence."

    "'Let me just give you the phone number."

    "'Let ''P'' be the point where ''AB'' and ''OX'' intersect."

  7. Let as a verb (transitive, obsolete, _, except with [[know]]):

    To cause (+ bare infinitive).

    Examples:

    "Can you let me know what time you'll be arriving?"

  1. Let as a noun:

    The allowing of possession of a property etc. in exchange for rent.

  1. Let as a verb (archaic):

    To hinder, prevent, impede, hamper, cumber; to obstruct (someone or something).

  2. Let as a verb (obsolete):

    To prevent someone from doing something; also to prevent something from happening.

  3. Let as a verb (obsolete):

    To tarry or delay.

  1. Let as a noun:

    An obstacle or hindrance.

  2. Let as a noun (tennis):

    The hindrance caused by the net during serve, only if the ball falls legally.

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