allow

1. allow somebody/something to do something.; allow something to give permission for somebody/something to do something or for something to happen:
● Children under eighteen are not allowed to buy alcohol.
● I'm afraid we don't allow people to bring dogs into this restaurant.
● Photography is not allowed inside the cathedral.

> Compare "allow", "permit" and "let".

"Allow" can be used in both formal and informal English. The passive form "be allowed to" is especially common. "Permit" is a formal word and is usually used only in written English. "Let" is an informal word, and very common in spoken English. You "allow somebody to do something but let somebody do something". Let cannot be used in the passive:
● Visitors are not allowed/permitted to smoke in this area.
● Smoking is not allowed/permitted.
● I'm not allowed to smoke in my bedroom.
● My dad won't let me smoke in my bedroom.

2. to give permission for somebody/something to be or go somewhere:
● No dogs allowed.
● I'm only allowed out on Friday and Saturday nights.

3. allow somebody something to let somebody have something:
● My contract allows me four weeks' holiday a year.

4. allow somebody something to do something to make it possible for somebody/something to do something:
● Working part-time would allow me to spend more time with my family.

5. allow something (for somebody/something) to provide money, time, etc for somebody/something:
● You should allow about 30 minutes for each question.

PHRASAL VERB
allow for somebody/something to think about possible problems when you are planning something and include extra time, money, etc for them:
● The journey should take about two hours, allowing for heavy traffic.