allow in WordNet English dictionary

1. afford possibility
   "This problem admits of no solution"; "This short story allows of several different interpretations"
   admit  allow 
   
2. allow or plan for a certain possibility; concede the truth or validity of something
   "I allow for this possibility"; "The seamstress planned for 5% shrinkage after the first wash"
   allow  take into account 
   
3. give or assign a resource to a particular person or cause
   "I will earmark this money for your research"; "She sets aside time for meditation every day"
   allow  appropriate  earmark  set aside  reserve 
   
4. consent to, give permission
   "She permitted her son to visit her estranged husband"; "I won't let the police search her basement"; "I cannot allow you to see your exam"
   permit  allow  let  countenance 
   
5. allow the presence of or allow (an activity) without opposing or prohibiting
   "We don't allow dogs here"; "Children are not permitted beyond this point"; "We cannot tolerate smoking in the hospital"
   allow  permit  tolerate 
   
6. let have
   "grant permission"; "Mandela was allowed few visitors in prison"
   allow  grant 
   
7. grant as a discount or in exchange
   "The camera store owner allowed me $50 on my old camera"
   allow 
   
8. make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen
   "This permits the water to rush in"; "This sealed door won't allow the water come into the basement"; "This will permit the rain to run off"
   let  allow  permit 
   
9. allow the other (baseball) team to score
   "give up a run"
   give up  allow 
   
10. make a possibility or provide opportunity for; permit to be attainable or cause to remain
    "This leaves no room for improvement"; "The evidence allows only one conclusion"; "allow for mistakes"; "leave lots of time for the trip"; "This procedure provides for lots of leeway"
    leave  allow for  allow  provide