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Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
afford
verb
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
afford the cost of sth
▪ We can’t afford the cost of a holiday abroad this year.
COLLOCATIONS FROM CORPUS
■ ADVERB
ill
▪ Many of them are in fact very poor and can ill afford their habit.
▪ The nation could ill afford a logy commander-in-chief in the event of nuclear attack.
▪ But Kevin Curren struck some crucial blows - runs that Warwickshire could ill afford to concede at this stage of the match.
▪ Often it is something they can ill afford.
▪ He could ill afford to lose such support in 1946, the year of the mid-term elections.
▪ Sotheby's can ill afford to have its auction prices called into question.
▪ There may be no alternative to leave of absence, even though the nurse can ill afford the loss of income.
▪ Hadn't she already taken time off work which she could ill afford in her sister's interests?
longer
▪ The political system can no longer afford to be indifferent to the economy.
▪ Employers claim these are luxuries the nation can no longer afford.
▪ Polly could no longer afford the house on her own and moved out.
▪ We can no longer afford this attitude, in an age of fierce resistance to taxes.
▪ Changes would have to be made as she could no longer afford to support her entire family.
▪ Hospitals can no longer afford medicines and are turning patients away.
to
▪ Rebecca never closed for more than an hour at lunchtime - she always said she couldn't afford to.
▪ No, she did not own a car - could not afford to - but she did have a driving licence.
▪ He shouldn't bear to spend money on his own comfort, even when, in later years, he could afford to.
▪ You can borrow the money from a bank easily and quickly and pay it back later as you can afford to.
▪ I suppose we really couldn't afford to.
▪ More importantly, I couldn't afford to.
■ NOUN
chance
▪ For, even if they knew in general that it was unlikely to be the case, they could not afford to take chances.
▪ But can we afford to take chances?
▪ This affords Brown a chance to explore the planet which he believes not to be as dead as it first appears.
▪ He also preferred the Durham system to the Cambridge system because it afforded the chance of more general courses of study.
country
▪ But such taxes would also increase the cost of capital for those countries which could least afford it.
▪ Few countries can afford increments in their recurrent budget.
▪ None of the world's poor countries can afford to curb industrial development.
▪ Can the country afford such a stiff bill for democracy?
▪ Rich countries can afford to spend money on the environment, but few have made it a priority in the past.
▪ When communications were inadequate and weak, it was argued, the country could ill afford the luxury of competing media.
▪ Basically that argument was simply that the country could not afford to go on expanding non-productive sectors such as social services.
family
▪ Few returned to school, because their families could not afford it.
▪ Each benefited from scholarships to win the education that family could not afford.
▪ Poor families could rarely afford medical insurance and treatment for more than one member, usually the father.
▪ Even if his family could have afforded to buy one, they could not have found a ready source.
▪ Because few families or newcomers can afford to live in the centre, the entire geography of New York is changing.
▪ When families can not afford this approach, they sometimes substitute less frequent, longer stays.
▪ They, or their families, can not afford to do so.
▪ Last year the dacoits kidnapped a man and broke both his legs because his family could not afford the ransom.
fee
▪ I must say that not all of them could afford the fees.
▪ But once in the park, she could not afford the separate admission fees for the parks within the park.
▪ Do you know how some of the kids afford the fees?
▪ Perhaps because they were the only people able to afford the fees.
▪ Unable to afford Lumet's fee.
▪ We believe all parents have the right to choice in education - not only those who can afford school fees.
▪ Yet, what was she thinking, poor? when she could apparently afford to pay the fees for this child.
luxury
▪ When I painted it was for myself, I could afford the luxury of spending two years on a painting.
▪ The Fannings knew the Garcfas could not afford such a luxury these days.
▪ Smaller companies that can't afford these luxuries can sometimes arrange to use spare capacity on the network of a nearby multinational.
▪ But most people in Hanoi could not afford consumer luxuries, and even acquiring necessities was a full-time job.
▪ Is this what women became if afforded the luxury of turned tables?
▪ They couldn't afford the luxury of open-market values.
▪ Undefended, or strife-torn, it could afford no such luxury.
money
▪ There are those, however, who say the money can not be afforded.
▪ But I think the club has spent more money than it could afford.
▪ Raymond Cusick had hoped for six Daleks from his budget but in the end the money only ran to affording four.
▪ The client lost money he could not afford.
▪ Style pages cover Spitalfields stories regularly, to the extent that now only people with money can afford to live there.
▪ They have quite enough money to afford a hotel.
▪ Associate members with a little more money to spend can afford the comfort of local hotels.
opportunity
▪ His natural enthusiasm had quickly turned to the positive aspect of events, and the opportunities which they afforded him.
▪ An opportunity was afforded when the council supported El Universal in its uncomplimentary evaluation of the work of the early independence leaders.
▪ Yet most of the time they resist the temptation to exact retribution, despite the abundant opportunities the game affords.
▪ Deadwood was an opportunity he could not afford to give up, and so she seized the chance for a visit home.
▪ Slaves took advantage of the opportunities afforded to rebel.
▪ There were no start-up business opportunities that I could afford.
parent
▪ It had not occurred to her that my parents simply could not afford the dry-cleaning bills.
▪ One option might be variations on the kinds of private military schools that more affluent parents who can afford it already utilize.
▪ However, parents who could not afford to pay for the meals were to be in no way penalized.
▪ These sacrifices were necessary for my parents to afford the house and its upkeep.
▪ The thing is, my mum is a single parent and can't afford for me to stay there.
▪ Your parents can't afford to pay for a new bed.
people
▪ There will always be vast numbers of people who can not afford to pay.
▪ Yet they could not resolve the paradox that their revolutionary aims resulted in goods that only wealthy people could afford.
▪ You have to find creative ways of providing the illusion of space in a price tag that more people can afford.
▪ There are western goods in the shops but mostly people can only afford to look.
▪ On trip cancellation or interruption insurance, some people can not afford to lose even a couple hundred dollars.
▪ A large project like the power station will not benefit these people, but richer people can afford the appliances and electricity.
▪ Too many people can not afford them.
price
▪ An if we couldn't afford the price of admission, we found other distractions.
▪ But these were also the people who, it is safe to say, could afford to pay these prices.
▪ This is what passes for social life for the majority, who can't afford the much higher prices in bars.
▪ Can local groups afford these prices?
▪ In this way they can afford the high prices for the land.
▪ They do, however, insist that if we can't afford the extortionate asking price, then not to worry.
protection
▪ The thought sent Isabel scrambling into her gown again, as though the garment might afford her some protection.
▪ The Legislature banned lion hunting in 1972, and voters afforded special protection with an initiative approved in 1990.
▪ The man was no fool and his very cynicism afforded him some protection.
▪ The agreements expired in 1992 and were not renewed, because they afforded the kind of protection banned under international trade agreements.
▪ I am sure one of them would afford you the protection that you seek.
▪ It is this, primarily, because suitable cover is afforded for protection and food is plentiful for the young fishes.
▪ True, the Government has continued to afford him protection, an expensive commitment for which he helps pay.
▪ Assists in maintaining proper bowel function and affords protection against diverticulosis, haemorrhoids and varicose veins.
view
▪ There is a large garden which contains a swimming pool and affords views of the busy harbour below.
▪ A roof-top terrace affords enchanting views.
▪ The lounge, of marble and mirrors, and the light, airy restaurant both afford canal views.
▪ Their paths afford spectacular views, and new vistas open up around every corner.
▪ One wall was a picture window affording a pastoral view of Lower Los Angeles right down to the beach.
▪ Long since abandoned by the sea, Rye is now a hilltop town affording super views of the surrounding countryside.
▪ Leadburn Inn Dine in luxurious splendour in a beautifully converted railway carriage, which affords panoramic views over the Pentlands.
■ VERB
can
▪ The price of success is usually highest for those who can least afford to pay.
▪ Q: Can the Democratic Party afford to take the black vote for granted?
▪ What is a fair profit margin to add to this total? Can local groups afford these prices?
▪ You can t afford to let him get you on the run.
▪ We can t afford to get arrested in a foreign country.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
afford/have/enjoy the luxury of sth
▪ Defenders have the luxury of double-teaming Riley.
▪ In the criminal trial, the prosecution did not have the luxury of depositions.
▪ Is this what women became if afforded the luxury of turned tables?
▪ The human species can no longer afford the luxury of such long double-takes or the leisurely changes of heart of entrenched scientists.
▪ They couldn't afford the luxury of open-market values.
▪ They did have the luxury of hit and run.
▪ We do not have the luxury of thinking our problems will miraculously be solved by better times ahead.
▪ When I painted it was for myself, I could afford the luxury of spending two years on a painting.
sb can ill afford (to do) sth
▪ The senator can ill afford another scandal.
▪ If land is not suitable for efficient farming, we can ill afford it being used for inefficient agriculture.
▪ It does not make sense to squander important resources that the nation can ill afford to lose.
▪ Many of them are in fact very poor and can ill afford their habit.
▪ Often it is something they can ill afford.
▪ Sotheby's can ill afford to have its auction prices called into question.
▪ Surely it would be a drain on Party resources that it can ill afford.
▪ There may be no alternative to leave of absence, even though the nurse can ill afford the loss of income.
▪ Yet it is an area which practitioners can ill afford to ignore.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
▪ Helena doesn't feel she can afford any more time away from work.
▪ The window affords a beautiful view out over the city.
EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS
▪ Filling in the two charts on page 32 gives the best indication of what you can afford.
▪ Fortunately Joe's can afford for me to use chemicals and paper as I like.
▪ It is successful because it produces a high quality product on time at a price the customer can afford.
▪ Many smaller companies simply can not afford to buy health insurance for employees and remain in business.
▪ My parents used to say that their son would have the best education they could afford.
▪ No show can afford that kind of scandal, particularly a brand-new one, hungry for the ratings.
▪ The School Board next week is expected to meet in executive session and determine how much it can afford to offer.
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Afford

Afford \Af*ford"\ ([a^]f*f[=o]rd"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Afforded; p. pr. & vb. n. Affording.] [OE. aforthen, AS. gefor[eth]ian, for[eth]ian, to further, accomplish, afford, fr. for[eth] forth, forward. The prefix ge- has no well defined sense. See Forth.]

  1. To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue; as, grapes afford wine; olives afford oil; the earth affords fruit; the sea affords an abundant supply of fish.

  2. To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish; as, a good life affords consolation in old age.

    His tuneful Muse affords the sweetest numbers.
    --Addison.

    The quiet lanes . . . afford calmer retreats.
    --Gilpin.

  3. To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting, expending, with profit, or without loss or too great injury; as, A affords his goods cheaper than B; a man can afford a sum yearly in charity.

  4. 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.

    The merchant can afford to trade for smaller profits.
    --Hamilton.

    He could afford to suffer With those whom he saw suffer.
    --Wordsworth.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
afford

Middle English aforthen, from Old English geforðian "to put forth, contribute; further, advance; carry out, accomplish," from ge- completive prefix (see a- (1)) + forðian "to further," from forð "forward, onward" (see forth).\n

\nChange of -th- to -d- took place late 16c. (and also transformed burthen and murther into their modern forms). Prefix shift to af- took place 16c. under mistaken belief that it was a Latin word in ad-. Notion of "accomplish" (late Old English) gradually became "be able to bear the expense of, have enough money" to do something (late 14c.). Older sense is preserved in afford (one) an opportunity. Related: Afforded; affording.

Wiktionary
afford

vb. 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. 2 To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting, expending, with profit, or without loss or too great injury. 3 To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue. 4 To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish.

WordNet
afford
  1. v. be able to spare or give up; "I can't afford to spend two hours with this person"

  2. be the cause or source of; "He gave me a lot of trouble"; "Our meeting afforded much interesting information" [syn: yield, give]

  3. have the financial means to do something or buy something; "We can't afford to send our children to college"; "Can you afford this car?"

  4. afford access to; "the door opens to the patio"; "The French doors give onto a terrace" [syn: open, give]

Wikipedia
Afford (surname)

Afford is an English surname. Notable people with the surname include:

  • Andy Afford (born 1964), English cricketer
  • Malcolm Afford (1906–1954), Australian playwright and writer
  • Thelma Afford (1908–1996), Australian costume designer, actress and journalist
Afford (disambiguation)

The term afford (or AFFORD) may refer to:

  • Affordance, a potential action enabled by an object
  • Afford (surname), an English surname
  • Australian Foundation for Disability, an Australian non-profit organization

Usage examples of "afford".

All such accommodation every farm house of this character should afford.

It is true, the prices assigned by the assize of Richard were meant as a standard for the accompts of sheriffs and escheators and as considerable profits were allowed to these ministers, we may naturally suppose that the common value of cattle was somewhat higher: yet still, so great a difference between the prices of corn and cattle as that of four to one, compared to the present rates, affords important reflections concerning the very different state of industry and tillage in the two periods.

These individual differences are highly important for us, as they afford materials for natural selection to accumulate, in the same manner as man can accumulate in any given direction individual differences in his domesticated productions.

World War broke down many of the inhibitions of violence and bloodshed that had been built up during the progressive years of the nineteenth century and an accumulating number of intelligent, restless unemployed men, in a new world of motor-cars, telephones, plate-glass shop windows, unbarred country houses and trustful social habits, found themselves faced with illegal opportunities far more attractive than any legal behaviour-system now afforded them.

Sometimes the removal of the watery accumulation by tapping becomes necessary, in order to afford relief and give time for remedies to act.

But the peculiar infelicity of the Byzantine princes exposed them to domestic perils, without affording any lively promise of foreign conquest.

That employment should be wanted for the people, while one-third of Ireland is as much waste as the woods in Canada, and the rest badly cultivated, not affording half labour, is a strange anomaly.

Loodiana, at once securing his own force, and affording safety to the garrison.

The bulk of the British army remained in the Punjaub for some months, various circumstances affording grounds for suspicion as to the good faith of the ranee and her durbar.

It is proposed to instruct the coast-guard by means of ship platform batteries of one gun each, constructed exactly similar to the ports of a man-of-war, placed in a position in each district convenient for the drill of fifty men, and in a situation in which it may be rendered available for defence, as well as affording a range to sea for practice.

Louis Philippe found a home in England, at first at Claremont, and then in Abingdon House, Kensington, where he lived for some time in apparently tranquil enjoyment, the delightful and salubrious vicinity affording to his family means of retired and pleasurable recreation.

The delineation was faithful, and aided very much in rendering concealment difficult, for it prevented the timid from affording shelter to the chiefs as soon as they became fugitives.

The simple truth evoked was, that while a committee of the house supposed that they were possessed of full and complete reports, they were supplied with only curt and crude extracts, calculated to place matters in the ministerial light, but not really affording the committee the opinions of those whose views they purported to be.

These communications, although affording intelligence which was, unfortunately, too true, were in several respects erroneous.

It was a magnificent spectacle, affording one of the most gorgeous and glorious displays of naval power ever presented to the eyes of even a British sovereign.