af|ford

af|ford «uh FRD, -FOHRD», transitive verb.

1. to have or spare the money for: »

Can we afford a new car?

2. to manage to give, spare, or have: »

A busy man can't afford a delay. Can you afford the time?

SYNONYM(S): bear.

3. to be able without difficulty or harm; have the means: »

He cannot afford to waste so much time. I can't afford to take the chance.

SYNONYM(S): manage.

4. to give as an effect or a result; provide: »

Reading this story will afford real pleasure.

SYNONYM(S): confer, bestow.

5. to furnish from natural resources; yield: »

Our garden affords a good supply of fresh vegetables. Some trees afford resin.

SYNONYM(S): supply.

6. to grant: »

Kind heav'n afford him everlasting rest (Alexander Pope).

SYNONYM(S): give.

╂[Old English geforthian to further, accomplish]

–af|ford´a|ble, adjective.

Usage Afford in the sense of def. 1 is usually preceded by can, can't, be able (or unable) to, or the like, and often followed by an infinitive: »

We can afford to sell cheap.