Allowed

Allowed is the past participle of the verb allow and functions as an adjective meaning permitted by rules, laws, or conventions. It indicates that an action, item, or condition may occur or exist without violating restrictions. In everyday English, it appears in constructions such as "is allowed," "are allowed," or "not allowed." The term often contrasts with prohibited or forbidden, and it can be used to indicate permission in policy, law, or social norms.

Origin and form: Allow comes from Middle English, from Old French alouer, with the sense of granting or approving. The participle "allowed" developed as the past participle and adjective meaning granted permission. In modern use, "allowed" is typically used with forms of "be" to express permission, e.g., "students are allowed to enter" or "luggage is allowed on the plane."

Legal and policy usage: In legal, regulatory, and policy language, "allowed" marks compliance with rules. In taxation, "allowable deductions" are expenses permitted under the code. In security and IT, an "allowed" action contrasts with "blocked" or "denied" actions, and "allow lists" or "allowlist" name entities permitted to access a resource.

See also: permission, permit, permissible, allowance, authorization, disallowed, prohibited.