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noun B1 Intermediate Common

allowance

uh-LOW-uhns

Allowance (noun) means a fixed sum of money given regularly, especially to a child or for expenses. Example: “She gives her kids a small weekly allowance.”

noun
1
A fixed sum of money given regularly, especially to a child or for expenses.
"She gives her kids a small weekly allowance."
"Employees receive a travel allowance for business trips."
2
An amount permitted or accepted as reasonable, especially as a deduction or adjustment.
"You should make an allowance for delays when planning the schedule."

How to Use Allowance

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA regular sum of money given to someone, or an adjustment made to take something into account.

Common pairings
weekly allowance make allowance for travel allowance pocket money allowance

Word Forms

allowanced past tense, allowances plural, allowances singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

She gives her kids a small weekly _____.

Etymology

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

Origin: Old French

Rhymes for allowance

See all rhymes for 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.

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