Allowed
/əˈlaʊd/
adjectiveBeginnerVery CommonGeneral
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
Authorized or permitted.
/əˈlaʊd/
adjectiveneutralBeginner
General
Permitted or granted
Children are allowed to use the playground.
💡 Simply: Something that is okay to do.
More Examples
2
He was allowed to leave early.
How It's Used
Legal
"The law allowed for certain exceptions."
Everyday
"Smoking is not allowed inside."
From Old English *alāwed, past participle of *alāwan 'to allow', from *al- 'all' + *lēaf 'leave, permission'.
The word 'allowed' has consistently meant 'permitted' throughout its history, but its usage frequency has increased with the rise of formal written English.
Memory tip
Think of 'al-lowed' as 'all-owed' – everyone is permitted.
Practice
alowedalowd
Usage
70%Spoken
30%Written