Allowance

/əˈlaʊəns/

nounBeginner📊CommonFinance
2 meanings2 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A regular payment of money, typically a small amount.

/əˈlaʊəns/

nounneutralBeginner
Finance

A sum of money paid regularly to a person, typically a child or spouse.

He gets a weekly allowance for his chores.

💡 Simply: Money given regularly.

More Examples

2

The allowance for travel expenses was insufficient.

How It's Used

Personal Finance

"My parents gave me a weekly allowance of $20."

Family

"She receives a generous allowance from her trust fund."

2

Consideration given to a particular factor; concession.

/əˈlaʊəns/

nounneutralIntermediate
Action

The action of allowing something.

Make allowance for his youth.

💡 Simply: Making a concession or exception.

More Examples

2

Allowance must be made for the different cultural backgrounds.

How It's Used

Legal

"The judge made an allowance for extenuating circumstances."

Tip:Think of making an allowance 'for' something.

From Middle English alouaunce, from Anglo-French alouance, from alouer 'to allow'.

The word's usage in older texts often refers more to the concept of 'concession' than a monetary payment.

Memory tip

Think of it as 'allowing' someone a certain amount of money.

Word Origin

LanguageAnglo-French
Original meaning

"to allow"

Base: allow
weekly allowancemonthly allowancemake allowance for

Common misspellings

alowancealownce

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written