[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/afford/)

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# afford

verb (afford, affords, afforded, affording) — usually with can, could, be able to

«afford» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To have enough money to pay for something (We can't afford a new car). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afford/#m1)
2. To have enough time, space or energy for something (I can't afford to miss the bus). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afford/#m2)
3. To be able to do something without bad results (We can't afford to make mistakes). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afford/#m3)
4. (formal) To give or provide (The hill affords a fine view). [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afford/#m4)

### In the lessons

In maths and money lessons: «Can she afford it?» means compare what you have with the price — if money ≥ price, yes. Budgeting and saving teach that you can't afford everything you want. In everyday life families talk about what they can afford. Phrases: can afford, can't afford, afford to do, affordable (cheap enough).

### Examples

- I can afford the book because I saved $15 and it costs $12. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afford/#x1)
- We can't afford a holiday this year. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afford/#x2)
- Can you afford to buy lunch for both of us? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afford/#x3)
- I can't afford to be late again. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afford/#x4)
- Save your pocket money so you can afford the toy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afford/#x5)
- These shoes are affordable — they're on sale. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afford/#x6)
- Sam has $8; can he afford a ticket that costs $10? No, he needs $2 more. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afford/#x7)
- How can you afford to bring up the boy? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afford/#x8)

### Note

Usually used with «can/can't, could, be able to». Maths: if the money you have is equal to or more than the price, you can afford it; the difference (price − money) is how much more you need. Adjective: affordable.

## In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Psalms teaches that horses and armies cannot save a person; tradition reads this as trust in God, not in military power. In the primary lessons: In maths and money lessons: «Can she afford it?» means compare what you have with the price — if money ≥ price, yes. Budgeting and saving teach that you can't afford everything you want. In everyday life families talk about what they can afford. Phrases: can afford, can't afford, afford to do, affordable (cheap enough).

### Examples

- A horse is a vain thing for safety; neither doth it afford escape by its great strength. (Writings PSA.33.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/afford/#x1)
- Whose garners are full, affording all manner of store; whose sheep increase by thousands and ten thousands in our fields; (Writings PSA.144.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/afford/#x2)

### Note

Usually used with «can/can't, could, be able to». Maths: if the money you have is equal to or more than the price, you can afford it; the difference (price − money) is how much more you need. Adjective: affordable.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «afford» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/A/afford/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«afford» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/afford.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «afford» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/A/afford/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«afford» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/afford.html) on Mova free.