How to pronounce allowance
Say it like uh-LOW-uns. Allowance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOW).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce allowance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- uh
- LOW
- uns
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Allowance pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LOWSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ow" in now.
- unsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of allowance
American and British speakers say allowance in essentially the same way: /əˈlaʊəns/ in the US and /əˈlaʊəns/ in the UK.
British respelling: uh-LOW-uns.
What does allowance mean?
- an amount allowed or granted (as during a given period)“travel allowance”“my weekly allowance of two eggs”
- a sum granted as reimbursement for expenses
- an amount added or deducted on the basis of qualifying circumstances“an allowance for profit”
- put on a fixed allowance, as of food
Where does allowance come from?
From Middle English allouance, from Old French alouance.
Questions about saying allowance
How do you pronounce allowance?
Say uh-LOW-uns. The American pronunciation is /əˈlaʊəns/. In British English it is /əˈlaʊəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in allowance?
Allowance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LOW). Broken into parts: uh · LOW · uns.
Do Americans and Brits say allowance the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /əˈlaʊəns/ and the British form is /əˈlaʊəns/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.