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. to furnish; supply.

   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

/ əˈfɔːd /

verb

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

   we can afford to buy a small house

   I can afford to give you one of my chess sets

   we can't afford to miss this play

2. to give, yield, or supply

   the meeting afforded much useful information

Other Word Forms

• affordability noun
• affordable adjective

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

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-

Example Sentences

For a small-market team like Colorado, the margin for error is small since its can’t afford to buy its way out of a mistake.

From Los Angeles Times

“Any cooling device will be ineffective if too expensive to operate because renters cannot afford the electricity,” he wrote in an email.

From Los Angeles Times

The Community Hub in Chard has started a pre-loved school uniform shop which operates on the basis of paying what you can afford to help parents who may not be able to afford it.

From BBC

The 1960s middle classes could not afford haute couture, but yearned for a stylish, distinctive look of their own.

From BBC

"It's only by doing this can we afford to do the things we want to do. If renewal is our mission and growth is our challenge. Investment and reform are our tools."

From BBC

Related Words

• grant 
• offer 
• provide