Allowance

/əˈlaʊəns/

Meaning & Definition

noun
a sum of money given regularly to a person, often to a child, to cover personal expenses.
Her parents give her a weekly allowance to help teach her about budgeting.
the act of allowing; permission.
The teacher gave her an allowance to submit the assignment late due to her illness.
a specified amount of something that is permitted, especially in relation to consumption or use.
There is a strict allowance of only two pieces of luggage for the flight.
a reduction in the amount owed or a decrease in the price or value.
He received a tax allowance for his charitable contributions.
a planned or calculated amount of something, often used in budgeting.
She set a monthly allowance for her grocery expenses.

Etymology

Middle English, from Old French 'alowance', from 'alowen', meaning to allow.

Common Phrases and Expressions

children's allowance
Money given to children by their parents.
luggage allowance
The maximum weight limit for luggage that can be carried.
monthly allowance
Regular fixed money received every month.
tax allowance
An amount that can be deducted from taxable income.
allowance for inflation
A calculation made to adjust for the rise in prices.

Related Words

allow
To let someone do something or to accept something.
allotment
The amount of something that is assigned or allocated.
allocation
The process of distributing something for a particular purpose.

Slang Meanings

Chump change
My allowance is just chump change compared to what my friends get.
Pocket money
I used my allowance as pocket money to buy snacks.