afford

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to be able to spare or give up

   I can't afford to spend two hours with this person.

2. 2
   verb

   to be the cause or source of

   Grapes afford wine.

3. 3
   verb

   to have the financial means to do something or buy something

   We can't afford to send our children to college.

4. 4
   verb

   To incur, stand, or bear without serious detriment, as an act which might under other circumstances be injurious; (usually after an expression of ability, as could, able, difficult) to be able or rich enough; to spare.

   I think we can afford the extra hour it will take.  We can only afford to buy a small car at the moment.

5. 5
   verb

   To offer, provide, or supply, as in selling, granting or expending, with profit, or without too great a loss.

   Alfred affords his goods cheaper than Bantock.

6. 6
   verb

   To give forth; to supply, yield, or produce as the natural result, fruit, or issue.

   Grapes afford wine.  Olives afford oil.  The earth affords fruit.  The sea affords an abundant supply of fish.

7. 7
   verb

   To give, grant, or confer, with a remoter reference to its being the natural result; to provide; to furnish.

   A good life affords consolation in old age.

Etymology

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”).