afford
/əˈfɔːrd/To have enough money or resources to pay for something; to be able to bear the cost of something.
I can't afford a new car right now.
I don't have enough money to buy a new car at the moment.
She can afford to travel abroad every year.
She has enough financial resources to go on international trips annually.
Often used with 'to' or 'for' to indicate what is being paid for.
To be able to spare or allocate time, energy, or attention to something.
I can't afford to waste time on trivial matters.
I don't have the luxury of spending time on unimportant things.
She couldn't afford to take a day off.
She didn't have the flexibility to skip work for a day.
In this sense, 'afford' implies a limitation of resources beyond just money.
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💡Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Afford' is frequently used in negative sentences to express financial constraints, such as 'I can't afford it.' It can also be used positively to indicate ability, like 'She can afford to retire early.'
⚡Gold Rule
Financial vs. Non-Financial Use
While 'afford' is most commonly used in financial contexts, it can also refer to time, energy, or other resources. For example, 'I can't afford to lose any more time' refers to time, not money.
📖Word Origin
From Middle English 'afforden', from Old English 'afōrdian', meaning 'to furnish, provide, or supply'.
📝Usage Notes
'Afford' is often used in negative constructions to indicate financial or resource limitations. It can also be used in a positive sense to indicate the ability to do something without hardship.