Looking up...
allocated
/ˈæləkeɪtɪd/
assigned for a specific purpose
The manager allocated extra budget for the marketing campaign.
The manager set aside specific funds to be used only for marketing.
Business
formal
To distribute or assign resources, tasks, or funds for a specific purpose.
We have allocated three days for testing.
We have set aside three days specifically for the testing phase.
Commonly used in project management and corporate settings.
Technology
technical
To assign a specific amount of memory or storage space in a computer system.
The system allocated 5GB of RAM to the application.
The computer reserved 5GB of memory specifically for that program to use.
Crucial term in programming and system administration.
Finance
formal
To set aside money for a particular expense.
Funds were allocated for emergency repairs.
Money was reserved specifically to pay for urgent fixes.
Often used in accounting and budgeting reports.
Collocations
allocate resourcesassign available assets to specific usesallocate budgetset aside money for specific expensesallocate timereserve specific periods for an activityallocate fundsassign money to a specific account or purpose
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'allocated' in professional, academic, or technical writing. In casual conversation, use 'set aside' or 'saved' instead (e.g., 'I saved some money for rent' vs. 'I allocated funds for rent').
Gold Rule
Specificity Rule
Always specify what is being allocated (time, money, resources) and often to whom or for what purpose. Avoid vague usage like 'I allocated it' without context.
Word Origin
From Latin 'allocare', meaning 'to assign to a place', from 'ad-' (to) + 'locus' (place).
Usage Notes
Use 'allocated' when something is formally assigned for a specific use. It implies a deliberate decision to set something aside. It is more formal than 'given' or 'saved'.
Word Breakdown
allo-
other, another (from Latin 'ad-' + 'locus')
prefix-cate
to place or put
root-ed
past tense or passive participle marker
suffixEnglish Dictionary