Word
allowance
An allowance is an amount of money or a permitted amount of something that is given or allowed regularly.
Meanings
a regular amount of money given to someone to spend, especially a child or someone with limited funds
an amount of something that is officially permitted or included
acceptance that you should consider something when judging a situation (make an allowance for)
Definition
An allowance can mean money that someone receives on a regular basis, often from a parent or an organization, to spend or use. It can also refer to the amount of something that is officially permitted, such as time, weight, or mistakes. In a broader sense, it can mean accepting that a situation has limits and adjusting your expectations accordingly.
Examples
- My parents increased my allowance after I started paying for my own bus fares.
- The airline’s baggage allowance was generous, so she packed a second pair of shoes.
- The editor made allowance for his tight deadline and focused on the most critical revisions.
- They live on a small allowance while they finish their research abroad.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse allowance (a permitted amount or regular money) with permission (the act of allowing).
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