allot
gb/əlˈɑt/ us/əlˈɑt/
C1
English
elkülönít, szán, kiutal, kioszt
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
allot [amount] (to/for) [purpose]
We allotted $5,000 for travel expenses this quarter.
Ebben a negyedévben 5000 dollárt különítettünk el utazási költségekre.
The teacher allotted ten minutes for silent reading.
A tanár tíz percet szánt csendes olvasásra.
Try to allot more time to exercise during the week.
Learner examples
I allot one hour to study every day.
Minden nap egy órát szánok a tanulásra.
We allotted some money for food.
Különítettünk el némi pénzt ételre.
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with “a lot” (many/much). “Allot” is a verb meaning “allocate.”
Meaning
set aside a specific amount
Collocations
allot time
|allot money
|allot funds
|allot resources
|allot a budget
|allot an hour
|allot a few minutes
|allot space
|allot sufficient time
|allot a portion
Synonyms
allocate (Most common synonym in planning and budgeting contexts.)
|
set aside (More informal and very common in everyday speech.)
|
earmark (Suggests reserving money/resources for a particular purpose.)
|
apportion (Emphasizes dividing something among parts or users.)
Antonyms
withhold (Refuse to give or make available.)
|
deny (Officially refuse to allow or provide.)
|
take away (Remove resources or time that had been available.)
Themes
work
|business
|education
|planning
Definition
to plan to use a certain amount for something
To decide that a particular amount of time, money, or other resources will be used for a specific purpose.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
allot [someone] [something] / allot [something] to [someone]
Each team member was allotted a specific set of duties.
Minden csapattagnak meghatározott feladatokat osztottak ki.
They allotted the last available seat to a standby passenger.
Az utolsó szabad helyet egy várólistás utasnak utalták ki.
The committee allotted two scholarships to students from rural areas.
Learner examples
The manager allotted me a new task.
A vezető új feladatot osztott ki nekem.
They allotted five tickets to our group.
Öt jegyet osztottak ki a csoportunknak.
Common mistake:
Learners may use “allot” where “allow” is needed; “allow” means give permission, while “allot” means distribute or assign a share.
Meaning
assign a share to someone
Collocations
allot seats
|allot tickets
|allot rooms
|allot shares
|allot a quota
|allot a task
|allot a role
|allot duties
|allot a place
|allot a position
Synonyms
assign (Common for tasks, roles, or responsibilities.)
|
allocate (Common for resources and limited supplies.)
|
distribute (Emphasizes giving out to many people.)
|
grant (Suggests an official decision to give something.)
Antonyms
keep (Not give out a share; retain for oneself or a group.)
|
withdraw (Take back something that was assigned.)
|
confiscate (Officially take away rather than give.)
Themes
work
|government
|business
|organization
Definition
to give someone a particular share or task
To give someone a particular share, portion, or task, especially as part of an organized or official distribution.
Grammar
Dictionary form
allot
IPA
GB/əlˈɑt/
US/əlˈɑt/
Syllables & stress
al - lot (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lot)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: allot
- 3rd Person Singular: allots
- Present Participle: allotting
- Past: allotted
Word family
Forms
allots
verb
allotting
verb
allotted
verb
Core family
allotment
noun B2
Related words
allocate
verb B2
allocation
noun B2
Expressions
allot [something] for [purpose]
1/əlˈɑt sˈʌmθɪŋ fɚ pˈɚpəs/
fixed phrase
formal
set aside for a purpose
to keep an amount for something
Examples
- The city allotted $2 million for road repairs.
- We allotted a separate budget for marketing.
- The schedule allots two hours for setup.
Learner examples
- We allotted $50 for dinner.
- They allotted one day for training.
allot [something] to [someone]
1/əlˈɑt sˈʌmθɪŋ tə sˈʌmwˌʌn/
fixed phrase
formal
assign something to a person
to give a share to someone
Examples
- The airline allotted meal vouchers to stranded passengers.
- The school allotted extra computers to the library.
- They allotted speaking slots to each panelist.
Learner examples
- They allotted two rooms to our team.
- The coach allotted more practice time to the beginners.
allot time to [someone/something]
1/əlˈɑt tˈaɪm tə sˈoʊmˈoʊnsəmˈɛθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
reserve time for something
to decide to use time for something
Examples
- Please allot fifteen minutes to questions at the end.
- She tries to allot time to her family every evening.
- We didn’t allot enough time to testing, so the launch was delayed.
Learner examples
- I allot time to homework after dinner.
- Allot ten minutes to review your notes.
be allotted [something]
1/bˈi əlˈɑtɪd sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
formal
receive an assigned share
to be given a share or task
Examples
- Each candidate was allotted five minutes to speak.
- We were allotted a small office on the third floor.
- Only two additional places were allotted this year.
Learner examples
- I was allotted ten minutes.
- Each group is allotted one table.
within the allotted time
1/wɪðˈɪn ðə əlˈɑtɪd tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
before the time limit
before the time limit ends
Examples
- Most students finished within the allotted time.
- You must submit the form within the allotted time or your session will expire.
- The team couldn’t complete the task within the allotted time.
Learner examples
- Finish the test within the allotted time.
- We must leave within the allotted time.