afford

Have means for

Afford means to have enough resources—usually money or time—for something: Can we afford a vacation this year?

I can't afford to wait any longer.

The word implies weighing cost against capacity.

Afford also means to provide or supply: The balcony affords a view of the harbor.

This older sense survives mainly in formal contexts.

financial

cost

Required payment amount

purchase · spend · save · splurge · luxury · necessity · income · salary · disposable · frugal

opportunity

allow

Grant permission for

  • enableMake something feasible
  • permitOfficial written authorization
  • grantBestow or award money

provide · offer · give · yield · furnish · supply · bestow · present · extend · open

time

manage

Direct or handle successfully

devote · invest · find · make · schedule · prioritize · commit · reserve · carve out

risk

chance

Likelihood of occurrence

jeopardize · stake · wager · dare · compromise · sacrifice · squander · waste · lose · forfeit

protection

shelter

Protected place or structure

  • shieldHandheld defensive armor
  • coverProtect by overlaying
  • guardWatchful defensive attention

sanctuary · refuge · haven · defense · security · safeguard · buffer · barrier

Categories
Opposites
financial capacity

affordneed

Essential requirement

scrape by · struggle · go without · do without · lack

provision or granting

affordwithhold

Refuse to give

deny · refuse · withdraw · retain · deprive

ease vs. strain

affordstrain

Excessive stretching force

sacrifice · scrimp · pinch pennies · stretch · overextend

Phrases
Family

affordable, afforded, affording, affords, unaffordable, affordability, affordable housing, housing affordability, unaffordability

Familiarity
Top 2,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G