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Allowing: meaning, definitions and examples

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allowing

 

[əˈlaʊɪŋ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

permission

Giving permission or opportunity for something to happen.

Synonyms

authorizing, consenting, granting, permitting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
allowing

Used in general situations to indicate that something is being let happen without intervention.

  • Parents are allowing their children to stay up late for the New Year
  • The school is allowing students to use laptops during class
permitting

Used to indicate giving permission or allowing something, often synonymous with 'allowing,' but sometimes implies more formal or overt permission.

  • The city is permitting outdoor dining at restaurants
  • The campsite is permitting campfires in designated areas
authorizing

Used in formal or official contexts where permission is given by someone in authority.

  • The manager is authorizing the purchase of new equipment
  • The police chief is authorizing an investigation into the matter
granting

Often used when referring to giving something that is requested, typically involving a formal process.

  • The committee is granting scholarships to deserving students
  • The government is granting asylum to refugees
consenting

Implies agreement or approval, usually after a request or consideration, often used in formal or legal contexts.

  • The patient is consenting to the surgery after being informed of the risks
  • The landlord is consenting to the tenant's request for renovations

Examples of usage

  • Allowing students to use calculators during the exam is common practice.
  • The new law is aimed at allowing easier access to healthcare services for all citizens.
Context #2 | Verb

tolerance

Accepting or tolerating something.

Synonyms

accepting, endorsing, permitting, tolerating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
allowing

Use this when you give someone permission to do something.

  • The teacher is allowing students to use their phones during breaks
tolerating

Use this when you are enduring something that you do not like or agree with.

  • He is tolerating his noisy neighbors, but he is not happy about it
accepting

This is used when someone is agreeing to take or receive something that has been offered.

  • He is accepting the job offer after careful consideration
permitting

Similar to 'allowing,' but often used in more formal or official contexts.

  • The city council is permitting the construction of a new park
endorsing

This is appropriate when giving public approval or support to someone or something.

  • The celebrity is endorsing a new line of eco-friendly products

Examples of usage

  • The teacher is not allowing any disruptions in the classroom.
  • Her parents are not allowing her to stay out late on school nights.
Context #3 | Verb

causing

Making something possible or causing it to happen.

Synonyms

enabling, facilitating, fostering, promoting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
allowing

Used when giving permission for something to happen.

  • The teacher is allowing the students to use their phones during breaks.
  • Our parents are allowing us to stay out until midnight.
enabling

Used when providing someone or something with the means or ability to do something.

  • This new feature is enabling users to edit their documents more efficiently.
  • His job is enabling him to travel around the world.
facilitating

Used when making an action or process easier or less difficult.

  • The organization is facilitating the distribution of food to needy families.
  • This software is facilitating communication between team members.
promoting

Used when supporting or actively encouraging something, especially with the idea of growth or improvement.

  • The campaign is promoting awareness about environmental issues.
  • She is promoting healthy living through her blog.
fostering

Used when encouraging the development or growth of something, often something positive.

  • The school is fostering a love of reading among its students.
  • Community programs are fostering a sense of belonging among residents.

Examples of usage

  • The heavy rain is allowing the crops to grow quickly.
  • The new technology is allowing for faster communication.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'allow' comes from the Old French 'alouer', which means to grant or admit.
  • It has roots in the Latin 'adluere', meaning to flow to or toward, suggesting a sense of acceptance.
  • In the late Middle Ages, it evolved in English to mean permitting something.

Legal Context

  • In legal terms, allowing can refer to granting rights or permissions, such as in contracts or wills.
  • Laws often include stipulations that specify conditions under which a party is allowing another party to act.
  • In court cases, testimony may be allowed or disallowed based on rules of evidence.

Psychology

  • Allowing is crucial in therapeutic settings, where clients are encouraged to express thoughts and feelings without judgment.
  • Studies suggest that allowing individuals to make choices can enhance their sense of autonomy and well-being.
  • In mindfulness practices, allowing thoughts and feelings to exist without resistance can reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation.

Culture

  • Different cultures have unique views on allowing certain behaviors, like in communal societies where collective permission is often valued.
  • In some cultures, allowing others to voice opinions is seen as a sign of respect and harmony.
  • Cultural norms can dictate what is allowed or disallowed, influencing social interactions and relationships.

Technology

  • In tech, allowing access typically refers to giving permission for software or applications to use certain features or data.
  • User agreements often include clauses that detail what users are allowing apps to do with their information.
  • As technology evolves, the implications of allowing data sharing raise important discussions around privacy and consent.

Translations

Translations of the word "allowing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 permitindo

🇮🇳 अनुमति देना

🇩🇪 erlaubend

🇮🇩 mengizinkan

🇺🇦 дозволяючи

🇵🇱 pozwalający

🇯🇵 許可する

🇫🇷 permettant

🇪🇸 permitiendo

🇹🇷 izin veren

🇰🇷 허용하는

🇸🇦 السماح

🇨🇿 povolující

🇸🇰 povoľujúci

🇨🇳 允许

🇸🇮 dovoljujoč

🇮🇸 leyfa

🇰🇿 рұқсат беру

🇬🇪 დაშვება

🇦🇿 icazə verən

🇲🇽 permitiendo

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,528, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.