allowable

adjective

al·​low·​able ə-ˈlau̇-ə-bəl How to pronounce allowable (audio)
Synonyms of allowablenext
: permissible
allowable income tax deductions
allowably
ə-ˈlau̇-ə-blē How to pronounce allowable (audio)
adverb

Synonyms of allowable

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Examples of allowable in a Sentence

international travel without a passport isn't allowable
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Although Messi and De Paul could have taken the allowable 21 days off following the World Cup, per FIFA rules, Messi returned to the Inter Miami training grounds on Wednesday. — Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 2 Aug. 2026 Before the accident, Bering Air routinely flew its planes over the safe weight and used an incorrect maximum allowable weight for icing conditions, the report noted. — Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 30 July 2026 If enough assets exist, both the outstanding principal and any allowable accrued interest may be paid before remaining assets are distributed to heirs. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The trucking company that Gonzalez-Companioni was driving for, Hope Trans LLC, has a history of drivers being repeatedly cited for exceeding the number of allowable hours on the road, the Star-Telegram previously reported. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for allowable

Word History

Etymology

Middle English alowable, allowable "proper, admissible," borrowed from Anglo-French alouable, from aluer, aloer "to accept as legally valid, permit" + -able -able — more at allow

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of allowable was in the 15th century

Rhymes for allowable

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Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Allowable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/allowable. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on allowable

Nglish: Translation of allowable for Spanish Speakers

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