/ əˈfɔːd; NAmE əˈfɔːrd/ verb
1.
[ no passive ] (usually used with can , could or be able to , especially in negative sentences or questions) to have enough money or time to be able to buy or to do sth :
[ vn ]
Can we afford a new car?
None of them could afford £50 for a ticket.
She felt she couldn't afford any more time off work.
[ v to inf ]
We can't afford to go abroad this summer.
She never took a taxi, even though she could afford to.
[ vn to inf ]
He couldn't afford the money to go on the trip.
2.
[ no passive ] (usually used with can or could , especially in negative sentences and questions) if you say that you can't afford to do sth, you mean that you should not do it because it will cause problems for you if you do : [ v to inf ]
We cannot afford to ignore this warning.
( formal )
They could ill afford to lose any more staff.
[ vn ]
We cannot afford any more delays.
3.
( formal ) to provide sb with sth :
[ vn ]
The tree affords some shelter from the sun.
[ vnn ]
The programme affords young people the chance to gain work experience.
► af·ford·abil·ity / əˌfɔːdəˈbɪləti; NAmE əˌfɔːrd-/ noun [ U ]
► af·ford·able / əˈfɔːdəbl; NAmE əˈfɔːrd-/ adjective :
affordable prices / housing
➡ note at cheap
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WORD ORIGIN
late Old English geforthian , from ge- (prefix implying completeness) + forthian to further , from forth . The original sense was promote, perform, accomplish , later manage, be in a position to do .