allowedly

Allowedly is an English adverb meaning "in a way that is allowed or permitted." It describes an action or circumstance that falls within the terms of a rule, agreement, or permission. In practice, the word is uncommon and tends to sound formal, bureaucratic, or legalistic; writers will often choose allowably, permissibly, or simply legally instead. Allowedly is the adverbial form of allowed, the past participle of allow, and should not be confused with allowably, which is formed from allowable. The distinction can be subtle: allowably focuses on what can be permitted, whereas allowedly focuses on what is being done in a permitted manner. A sentence such as "The architect revised the design allowedly to comply with the local restrictions" is grammatically straightforward, although such phrasing may sound unusual in everyday conversation. The word is useful where precision matters and where a writer wants to describe compliance with permission rather than merely its possibility.

In an allowable or permitted manner; so as to be allowed.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does allowedly come from?

Allowedly is formed from allowed by adding the adverbial suffix -ly; allowed itself is the past participle of allow. Allow entered Middle English from Old French alouer, meaning "to permit, grant, or approve," ultimately from Latin allocare, meaning "to assign or allot." English allocate and allocation developed from the same Latin root through a different route.

How allowedly is actually used

This is a rare, formal adverb and is much less common in current usage than allowably. It can sound marked, bureaucratic, or old-fashioned in ordinary conversation, although it remains intelligible and occasionally useful in precise legal or technical prose.

Easily confused with allowedly

What's another word for allowedly?

Rhymes with allowedly