Afford

To have enough money or resources to buy or do something, To be able to meet the expense of; to manage to bear the cost of, To provide or supply something

Afford - Meanings

To have enough money or resources to buy or do something

Example: I can't afford to go on vacation this year.

Usage: informalContext: daily life, financial discussions

Note: Commonly used in conversations about expenses and financial limitations

To be able to meet the expense of; to manage to bear the cost of

Example: She could afford the luxury of a personal trainer.

Usage: formalContext: business, financial planning

Note: Used in contexts related to financial management and decision-making

To provide or supply something

Example: The hotel affords a beautiful view of the ocean.

Usage: formalContext: describing features or benefits of a place or thing

Note: Commonly used to describe the qualities or advantages of a location or item

Afford's synonyms

manage

To be able to do something despite challenges or limitations.

Example: I can manage to buy a new car with my savings.

Note: While 'afford' often implies financial capability, 'manage' can refer to finding a way to do something even if resources are limited.

bear

To have the financial capacity or endurance to handle something.

Example: I can't bear the cost of a luxury vacation right now.

Note: Similar to 'afford,' but 'bear' can also imply emotional or physical capacity to withstand something.

sustain

To maintain or support financially or in terms of endurance.

Example: I am not sure if I can sustain the expenses of living in this city.

Note: While 'afford' is often used in the context of purchasing or paying for something, 'sustain' can encompass broader aspects of support and maintenance.

provide

To supply or make available financially.

Example: My current salary doesn't provide for extravagant purchases.

Note: Unlike 'afford,' 'provide' can imply the source of the financial means rather than just the capability to pay for something.

Afford expressions, common phrases

Can't afford

This phrase means that someone does not have enough money to pay for something.

Example: I can't afford to buy a new car right now.

Note: It emphasizes the inability to meet the financial requirement for something.

Afford to do something

This phrase means that someone has the financial means or resources to do something without causing financial hardship.

Example: I can't afford to take a day off work this week.

Note: It focuses on having the financial capacity to engage in a particular action.

Afford the luxury of

This phrase means that someone does not have the time or resources to indulge in a particular luxury or activity.

Example: I can't afford the luxury of spending hours watching TV every day.

Note: It extends the concept of affordability beyond just financial means to include time or other resources.

Afford a smile

This phrase means to be able to produce or show a smile, usually in the context of having a positive attitude despite challenges.

Example: Even in difficult times, she could afford a smile.

Note: It shifts the focus from financial affordability to emotional or behavioral capacity.

Afford someone something

This phrase means to provide or grant someone a particular thing, such as time, opportunity, or privilege.

Example: I can afford you some extra time to finish the project.

Note: It involves giving or offering something to someone rather than personal financial capability.

Afford someone the opportunity

This phrase means to give someone the chance or possibility to do something.

Example: I can afford you the opportunity to showcase your talent.

Note: It emphasizes granting someone an opportunity rather than personal financial ability.

Afford a view

This phrase means to provide or offer a particular view or perspective, usually in a beneficial or advantageous way.

Example: The hotel room affords a breathtaking view of the ocean.

Note: It refers to the provision or availability of a visual experience rather than financial affordability.

Afford everyday (slang) expressions

Barely afford

To barely afford something means to just have enough money to pay for it, implying that it is a struggle or a challenge.

Example: I can barely afford my rent this month.

Note: The term 'barely afford' emphasizes a close financial situation where there might be a risk of not being able to pay for something in the near future.

Afford on a shoestring

To afford something on a shoestring means to manage it with very limited financial resources or a tight budget.

Example: We managed to afford the trip on a shoestring budget.

Note: This term highlights the resourcefulness and creative financial management required to make ends meet on a very restricted budget.

Stretch to afford

To stretch to afford something means to make an effort or sacrifice in order to be able to purchase it, often beyond one's regular means.

Example: I had to stretch to afford that designer bag I've been eyeing.

Note: This term conveys the idea of going out of one's comfort zone or usual spending habits to be able to acquire something desired.

Hard-pressed to afford

To be hard-pressed to afford something means to be in a difficult situation where it is challenging or almost impossible to have enough money for it.

Example: With the recent pay cut, I'm hard-pressed to afford my college tuition.

Note: This slang term emphasizes the significant struggle or urgency involved in trying to meet a financial obligation or purchase.

Afford - Examples

I can't afford to buy a new car right now.

This apartment is affordable for me.

The affordability of healthcare is a major concern for many people.

Afford grammar

Afford - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)

Lemma: afford

Conjugations

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): afforded

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): affording

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): affords

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): afford

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): afford

Syllables, Separation and Stress

afford Contains 2 syllables: af • ford

Phonetic transcription: ə-ˈfȯrd

af ford , ə ˈfȯrd (The red syllable is stressed)

Afford - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

afford: ~ 1700 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

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