allowance

9 synonyms and 2 antonyms for allowance, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A fixed sum of money given regularly, especially to a child or for expenses.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

margin

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

subsidy deduction adjustment tolerance

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

stipend ration allotment leeway

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A fixed sum of money given regularly, especially to a child or for expenses.

“He spends his weekly allowance on comics and sweets.”

stipend subsidy ration allotment deduction adjustment margin leeway tolerance

2. noun

An amount permitted or accepted as reasonable, especially as a deduction or adjustment.

“The airline gives each passenger a baggage allowance of one small suitcase.”

Opposites

disapproval prohibition

How to use allowance

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

weekly allowance make allowance for travel allowance pocket money allowance

Etymology

From Old French alouance, built on the same double root as "allow."

Full origin of allowance →

Frequently asked questions

What does “allowance” mean?

The word “allowance” means a fixed sum of money given regularly, especially to a child or for expenses. In plain terms, a regular sum of money given to someone, or an adjustment made to take something into account.

How do you pronounce “allowance”?

“Allowance” is pronounced uh-LOW-uhns (/əˈlaʊɪns/ in IPA).

How do you use “allowance” in a sentence?

Here is “allowance” used in a sentence: “She gives her kids a small weekly allowance.”

What part of speech is “allowance”?

“Allowance” is a noun.

Where does the word “allowance” come from?

The word “allowance” comes from Old French. From Old French alouance, built on the same double root as "allow.".

Is “allowance” a common word?

“Allowance” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “allowance” have?

“Allowance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fixed sum of money given regularly, especially to a child or for expenses.

What is the difference between "allowance" and "allocation"?

An "allowance" is typically a fixed, recurring sum of money given for a specific purpose, such as a child's allowance or a travel allowance. An "allocation" refers more broadly to the act of assigning resources, which may or may not be money and may or may not recur.

Is an "allowance" the same as "pocket money"?

They overlap closely. "Allowance" is the more general term for a fixed sum given regularly, especially to a child, while "pocket money" is a specific, often informal term used in the same sense, particularly in British English.

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margin tolerance adjustment prohibition subsidy deduction disapproval ration allotment leeway stipend

Nearby words

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