afford

5 definitions • 9 examples

to be able to buy or do something because you have enough money or time:

I don't know how he can afford a new car on his salary.

to allow someone to have something pleasant or necessary:

The hut afforded little protection from the elements.

[ + two objects ] Her seat afforded her an uninterrupted view of the stage.

to have enough money or time to buy, keep, or do something:

[ T ] I don’t know how he can afford a new car.

[ I ] Can you afford to take any time off work?

to be able to buy or do something because you have enough money:

He is over 60 and can't afford his pension contributions.

can afford to do sth Debt is not necessarily a bad thing if the consumer can afford to pay it back.

to be able to do something without it causing problems:

can afford to do sth We can afford to wait.

I can't afford to pay attention to any controversy.