afford

Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

English [edit]

Alternative forms [edit]

Etymology [edit]

From Old English aforthen, from Old English ġeforþian, forþian (“to further, accomplish, afford”), from forþ (“forth, forward”). The prefix ġe- has no well defined sense. See forth.

Pronunciation [edit]

Verb [edit]

afford (third-person singular simple present affords, present participle affording, simple past and past participle afforded)

  1. To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; -- with an auxiliary, as can, could, might, etc.; to be able or rich enough.
    I think we can afford the extra hour it will take.
    We can only afford to buy a small car at the moment.
  2. To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting, expending, with profit, or without loss or too great injury.
    A affords his goods cheaper than B.
    A man can afford a sum yearly in charity.
  3. To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue.
    Grapes afford wine.
    Olives afford oil.
    The earth affords fruit.
    The sea affords an abundant supply of fish.
  4. To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish.
    A good life affords consolation in old age.

Usage notes [edit]

Derived terms [edit]

Translations [edit]

to incur, stand, or bear
to offer, provide, or supply
to give forth; to produce as a natural result
to provide; furnish
The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Translations to be checked
Retrieved from "http://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=afford&oldid=20590198"