afford: Meaning and Definition of

af•ford

Pronunciation: (u-fôrd', u-fōrd'), [key]
— v.t.
  1. to be able to do, manage, or bear without serious consequence or adverse effect: The country can't afford another drought.
  2. to be able to meet the expense of; have or be able to spare the price of: Can we afford a trip to Europe this year? The city can easily afford to repair the street.
  3. to be able to give or spare: He can't afford the loss of a day.
  4. to furnish; supply: The transaction afforded him a good profit.
  5. to be capable of yielding or providing: The records afford no explanation.
  6. to give or confer upon: to afford great pleasure to someone.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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