Meaning & Definition of word "Allowance"
Allowance
/əˈlaʊəns/
noun:
- 1. a sum of money given regularly to a person, often to a child, to cover personal expenses.
- Example: Her parents give her a weekly allowance to help teach her about budgeting.
- 2. the act of allowing; permission.
- Example: The teacher gave her an allowance to submit the assignment late due to her illness.
- 3. a specified amount of something that is permitted, especially in relation to consumption or use.
- Example: There is a strict allowance of only two pieces of luggage for the flight.
- 4. a reduction in the amount owed or a decrease in the price or value.
- Example: He received a tax allowance for his charitable contributions.
- 5. a planned or calculated amount of something, often used in budgeting.
- Example: 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 of allowance
Meaning: Chump change
● Example Sentence: My allowance is just chump change compared to what my friends get.
Meaning: Pocket money
● Example Sentence: I used my allowance as pocket money to buy snacks.