afford
10 synonyms for afford, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To have enough money, time, or resources for something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
pay for
cover the cost of
have the means for
bear the cost of
stretch to
How to use afford
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
afford to buy
can’t afford
afford the time
Etymology
From Old English geforthian, "to further or accomplish" — ultimately related to the word "forth."
Full origin of afford →Frequently asked questions
What does “afford” mean?
The word “afford” means to have enough money, time, or resources for something. In plain terms, to have the money, time, or safety margin needed to do something.
How do you pronounce “afford”?
“Afford” is pronounced uh-FAWD (/əˈfoɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “afford” in a sentence?
Here is “afford” used in a sentence: “They finally saved enough to afford a house deposit.”
What part of speech is “afford”?
“Afford” is a verb.
Where does the word “afford” come from?
The word “afford” comes from Old English. From Old English geforthian, "to further or accomplish" — ultimately related to the word "forth.".
Is “afford” a common word?
“Afford” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “afford” have?
“Afford” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to have enough money, time, or resources for something.
What does it mean to afford something?
To afford something is to have enough money, time, or resources to manage it without undue strain. It usually appears with 'can,' 'could,' or 'cannot,' as in 'we can afford a holiday this year.' It can also stretch beyond money, as in 'I can't afford to lose any more time.'
What is the difference between afford and buy?
'Buy' means to actually purchase something. 'Afford' means to have the means to buy or do it, whether or not you go ahead. You can afford a car without buying one, and you cannot sensibly buy what you cannot afford. Afford is about capacity, while buy is about the action.
Can 'afford' mean something other than money?
Yes. Besides money, it covers any resource you can spare, such as time, energy, or risk, as in 'she couldn't afford the delay.' More formally, it can mean to provide or give, as in 'the balcony affords a fine view.' Context makes clear which sense is meant.
