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View synonyms for

afford

[ uh-fawrd ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to be able to do, manage, or bear without serious consequence or adverse effect:

    The country can't afford another drought.

  2. to be able to meet the expense of; have or be able to spare the price of:

    Can we afford a trip to Europe this year? The city can easily afford to repair the street.

  3. to be able to give or spare:

    He can't afford the loss of a day.

  4. The transaction afforded him a good profit.

  5. to be capable of yielding or providing:

    The records afford no explanation.

  6. to give or confer upon:

    to afford great pleasure to someone.



afford

/ əˈɔː /

verb

  1. preceded bycan, could, etc to be able to do or spare something, esp without incurring financial difficulties or without risk of undesirable consequences

    I can afford to give you one of my chess sets

    we can't afford to miss this play

    we can afford to buy a small house

  2. to give, yield, or supply

    the meeting afforded much useful information

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˌڴǰ岹ˈٲ, noun
  • ˈڴǰ岹, adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of afford1

First recorded before 1050; Middle English aforthen, iforthen, Old English geforthian “to further, accomplish,” equivalent to ge- y- + forth forth + -ian infinitive suffix
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Word History and Origins

Origin of afford1

Old English geforthian to further, promote, from forth forth ; the Old English prefix ge- was later reduced to a-, and the modern spelling (C16) is influenced by words beginning aff-
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

EDMONTON, Canada — The Edmonton Oilers played like they couldn’t afford to lose Friday.

From

Cutting a client's hair, Kerry explained she could not afford to take on any new apprentices this year and had been forced to reduce the hours of her current 12 apprentices to the minimum.

From

It has since been criticised as being too restrictive because as the so-called "missing middle", were excluded - those considered too wealthy to qualify for financial aid but who struggle to afford tuition fees.

From

“Some organizations have more privilege, they have more resources. They can afford to go to court. They can be more bold.”

From

“I’m the reason the Dodgers could afford Ohtani this year,” Iglesias joked.

From

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