[+ obj] 1 : to be able to pay for (something)
▪ We were too poor to afford a doctor. ▪ He'll be able to afford a house next year. ▪ Don't spend more than you can afford. ▪ They couldn't afford new coats for the children. — often followed by to + verb ▪ They couldn't afford to buy new coats for the children. ▪ Don't spend more than you can afford to (spend). 2 : to be able to do (something) without having problems or being seriously harmed
▪ We can afford waiting a while longer. — usually followed by to + verb ▪ We can afford to wait a while longer. — usually used in negative constructions ▪ She's already too thin. She can't afford to lose any more weight. = She can ill afford to lose any more weight. 3 formal : to supply or provide (something needed or wanted) to someone
▪ All of the rooms afford views of the lake. ▪ He was afforded the opportunity to work for a judge.
▪ We were too poor to afford a doctor. ▪ He'll be able to afford a house next year. ▪ Don't spend more than you can afford. ▪ They couldn't afford new coats for the children. — often followed by to + verb ▪ They couldn't afford to buy new coats for the children. ▪ Don't spend more than you can afford to (spend).
▪ We can afford waiting a while longer. — usually followed by to + verb ▪ We can afford to wait a while longer. — usually used in negative constructions ▪ She's already too thin. She can't afford to lose any more weight. = She can ill afford to lose any more weight.
▪ All of the rooms afford views of the lake. ▪ He was afforded the opportunity to work for a judge.







