(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
If you cannot ~ something, you do not have enough money to pay for it.
My parents can’t even ~ a new refrigerator...
We couldn’t ~ to buy a new rug.
VERB: V n, V to-inf
2.
If you say that you cannot ~ to do something or allow it to happen, you mean that you must not do it or must prevent it from happening because it would be harmful or embarrassing to you.
We can’t ~ to wait...
The country could not ~ the luxury of an election.
VERB: V to-inf, V n
3.
If someone or something ~s you an opportunity or protection, they give it to you. (FORMAL)
This ~s us the opportunity to ask questions about how the systems might change...
It was a cold room, but it ~ed a fine view of the Old City.
VERB: V n n, V n