al ‧ low ‧ ance S2 W3 /əˈlaʊəns/ BrE AmE noun
1 . [countable usually singular] an amount of money that you are given regularly or for a special purpose
a monthly/annual etc allowance
His father gives him a monthly allowance of £200.
allowance for
Do you get an allowance for clothes?
Sales staff get a generous mileage allowance or a company car.
If you are entitled to sickness allowance, you must claim it from your employer.
2 . [countable usually singular] an amount of something that is acceptable or safe:
the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C
Passengers’ baggage allowance is 75 pounds per person.
3 . [countable] British English an amount of money that you can earn without paying tax on it:
a new tax allowance
4 . [countable usually singular] especially American English a small amount of money that a parent regularly gives to a child SYN pocket money British English
5 . [uncountable and countable] something that you consider when deciding what is likely to happen, what you should expect etc
allowance for
There is always an allowance in insurance premiums for whether someone smokes or not.
make (an) allowance/make allowances (for something)
The budget makes allowances for extra staff when needed.
6 . make allowance/allowances (for somebody) to let someone behave in a way you do not normally approve of, because you know there are special reasons for their behaviour:
Dad’s under pressure – you have to make allowances.