Family / B2

uh-LOW-uh-ns/əˈlaʊəns/

An allowance is money given regularly for a purpose, or an amount of something you are allowed: a travel allowance, a luggage allowance. Pocket money is the everyday word for a child’s cash; budget is a plan for spending, not a gift. Make allowance for means take something into account. In British English, allowance is standard for expenses at work; do not confuse it with allocation (a share set aside from a pool).

Meaning

Money given regularly for a purpose, or an amount of something you are allowed.

Examples

• “Students receive a small travel allowance.”
• “Staff claimed a small mileage allowance for the school trip.”
• “The ticket includes a 20-kilo baggage allowance.”

Good to know

Money or an amount you are allowed. make allowance for = take into account. Everyday: pocket money (children) / expenses. Close: allocation (a share from a pool).

Near in meaning

expenses

Topics

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