afford

verb

af·​ford ə-ˈfȯrd 

afforded; affording; affords

transitive verb

1

a

: to manage to bear without serious detriment

You can't afford to neglect your health.

b

: to be able to bear the cost of

can't afford to be out of work long

2

: to make available, give forth, or provide naturally or inevitably

The sun affords warmth to the earth.

a delay that will afford us more time

Synonyms

• go
• swing

Choose the Right Synonym for afford

give, present, donate, bestow, confer, afford mean to convey to another as a possession.

give, the general term, is applicable to any passing over of anything by any means.

give alms

gave her a ride on a pony

give my love to your mother

present carries a note of formality and ceremony.

present an award

donate is likely to imply a publicized giving (as to charity).

donate a piano to the orphanage

bestow implies the conveying of something as a gift and may suggest condescension on the part of the giver.

bestow unwanted advice

confer implies a gracious giving (as of a favor or honor).

confer an honorary degree

afford implies a giving or bestowing usually as a natural or legitimate consequence of the character of the giver.

the trees afford shade

a development that affords us some hope

Examples of afford in a Sentence

We were too poor to afford a doctor.

He'll be able to afford a house next year.

Don't spend more than you can afford.

They couldn't afford new coats for the children.

We can afford waiting a while longer.

All of the rooms afford views of the lake.

He was afforded the opportunity to work for a judge.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, policymakers were forced to backtrack on this course last year following protests from European farmers, who already rely on subsidies and cannot afford a levy on emissions. —Henry Duckworth, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024

Stargazing locations closer to Nashville Unfortunately, there aren’t too many places in town that afford a great night sky view. —Evan Mealins, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

The homes, whose construction complied with European Union's masonry standards, are set to be used as social housing and will be rented to people with low income or those who can't afford their own accommodation. —Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024

The Eagles, while looking like sure Super Bowl contenders, clinched a playoff spot last week and can afford to take a breath. —Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 20 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

respelling (after Latin borrowings with initial aff-) of Middle English iforthen, aforthen, going back to Old English geforðian "to send out, promote, carry out," from ge-, perfective prefix + forðian "to send out, promote," verbal derivative of forþ "forth, forward" — more at com-, forth entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing afford

• ill afford

Kids Definition

afford

verb

af·​ford ə-ˈfōrd 

-ˈfȯrd

1

: to be able to do or to bear without serious harm

you can't afford to waste your strength

2

: to be able to pay for

unable to afford a new car

3

: to supply one with : provide, furnish

tennis affords good exercise

affordable

-ˈfōrd-ə-bəl 

-ˈfȯrd-

adjective