afford

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To have enough money to pay for something.

   We can't afford to send our children to private school.

2. 2
   verb

   To be able to do something without causing yourself harm or trouble.

   I can't afford to waste two hours waiting for him.

3. 3
   verb

   To provide or give something.

   The hilltop affords a wonderful view of the valley.

Appears in

Simplified etymology

Afford derives from Old English forthian, “further.” Its original sense was “accomplish,” which later became “be in a position to do”; its particular association with having enough money is recorded from Late Middle English.

From Middle English afforthen, aforthen, avorthien, from earlier iforthen, iforthien, ȝeforthien, from Old English forþian, ġeforþian (“to further, accomplish, afford”), from Proto-Germanic *furþōną, from Proto-Germanic *furþą (“forth, forward”), equivalent to a- + forth. Cognate with Old Norse forða (“to forward oneself, save oneself, escape danger”), Icelandic forða (“to save, rescue”).

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