adjective
allowable
uh-LOW-uh-buhl/əˈlaʊəbl/
Permitted by rules, law, or accepted standards.
The suitcase fits inside the frame, confirming its allowable size.
Etymology
Alloable already meant 'permissible,' while English allowable also once meant 'worthy of praise.' These meanings reflect the overlap between approval and permission in the history of allow.
In context
determine the maximum allowable external pressure the pipe can handle before it collapses. This value becomes our maximum injection pressure and is communicated clearly to the technicians in the field.
More examples
- Only allowable expenses will be reimbursed.
- The judge determines which questions are allowable.
- The design stays within the allowable height for the building.
Similar words
- permissible
- Very similar, often used for actions permitted by rules.
- acceptable
- May concern preferences rather than formal permission.