Allowable is an adjectivea word that describes a noun or pronoun used for something that is permittedofficially accepted or not forbidden by a rule or law. It can also mean deductibleable to be subtracted from taxable income under tax rules, or, more broadly, worthy of being allowed or considered.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /əˈlaʊəbəl/
Easy pronunciation: uh-LOW-uh-buhl (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress is on the second syllable, LOW.
Use this pronunciation for the adjective meaning permitted by rules or law.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Allowable Meaning
permitted or accepted by the rules
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: that may be permitted, especially according to a rule or law
Example: The company set an allowable limit on travel expenses.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- permissible — A close everyday substitute when something is officially allowed.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Allowable
Meaning 2
can be subtracted for tax purposes
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: deductible according to the tax laws
Example: These costs are allowable under the tax code.
Meaning 3
worth considering or accepting
Part of speech: adjective
Definition: deserving to be allowed or considered
Example: Her proposal was judged allowable in the debate.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Allowable Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- permissible
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not use allowable to mean "approve" or "accept"; it describes something that is permitted or deductible, not the act of allowing.
- In tax contexts, allowable means deductible, which is a narrower sense than the general meaning of permitted.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does allowable mean?
Allowable means permitted by a rule or law. In tax use, it can also mean deductible.
What is a simple synonym for allowable?
A common synonym is permissible, especially when something is officially allowed.
Is allowable the same as allowed?
They are close in meaning, but allowable is more formal and often used in rules, laws, or tax language.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-18. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.