afford

verb

af·​ford ə-ˈfȯrd How to pronounce afford (audio)
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Which is good news for a team that can’t afford to be without one of its most potent hitters. Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 June 2025 Nearly one in three Floridians struggles to afford basic expenses, yet a starting teacher’s salary fails to meet even the minimum $57,064 annual income required for an individual to cover personal costs. Lakeisha Wells Palmer, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025 For example, Doordash, with a roughly $80 billion market cap, could easily afford Lyft, has synergies to better optimize both platforms, a global presence, and would create more revenue stream options for drivers. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 31 May 2025 Elordi first shot the early flashback scenes in which Dorrigo falls for Amy (played by Odessa Young) and the actors were afford two weeks of rehearsal to build the relationship, having only ever met once before in passing and cast without a chemistry read. Jenelle Riley, Variety, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for afford

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of afford was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Afford.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/afford. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

afford

verb
af·​ford ə-ˈfōrd How to pronounce afford (audio)
-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 How to pronounce afford (audio)
-ˈfȯrd-
adjective

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