allowance
uh-LOW-uhns
Allowance (noun) means a fixed sum of money given regularly, especially to a child or for expenses. Example: “He spends his weekly allowance on comics and sweets.”
noun
1
A fixed sum of money given regularly, especially to a child or for expenses.
"He spends his weekly allowance on comics and sweets."
"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.
"The airline gives each passenger a baggage allowance of one small suitcase."
"Tax law lets you claim an allowance on certain work expenses."
"You should make an allowance for delays when planning the schedule."
How to use allowance
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- allowances
- Third person singular
- allowances
- Past tense
- allowanced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He spends his weekly _____ on comics and sweets.
Etymology
From Old French alouance, built on the same double root as "allow."
Synonyms
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Related words
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.
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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