Allocate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˈa-lə-ˌkāt/ al·lo·cate

Meaning & Definition of Allocate

Allocate (verb)

  1. to apportion for a specific purpose or to particular persons or things, distribute
  2. to set apart or earmark, designate

Allocate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to give as a share or portion

    "not enough computers to allocate one to every student"

    similar: allot, allow, apportion, assign, distribute, lot, ration
    related: admeasure, administer, deal, dispense, divide, dole out, hand out, measure, mete (out), meter, parcel (out), part, portion, prorate, share (out), split, accord, award, give, grant, earmark, reserve, chip in, contribute, donate, reallocate, reapportion, reassign, redistribute
    near: begrudge, deny, deprive (of), keep, retain, stint, withhold, appropriate, arrogate, confiscate

  2. to give out (something) to appropriate individuals

    "allocated the housework in such a way that the older kids got more than the younger ones"

    similar: administer, apportion, deal (out), dispense, distribute, dole out, hand out, mete (out), parcel (out), portion, prorate
    related: admeasure, allot, allow, appropriate, assign, dish out, divide, divvy (up), dollop (out), lot, measure (out), part, proportion, ration, redistribute, set, share (out), split, bestow, disburse, furnish, issue, provide, share, supply, circulate, disperse, disseminate, scatter, spread, chip in, contribute, donate, pledge, reallocate, reapportion
    opposite: misallocate
    near: begrudge, decline, deny, deprive (of), disallow, refuse, reject, withhold, niggle (out), pinch, skimp, stint

  3. to keep or intend for a special purpose

    "sliced the strawberries after first allocating all the nicest ones for the top of the cake"

    similar: consecrate, dedicate, devote, earmark, give up (to), reserve, save, set by, set apart, set aside
    related: bless, hallow, sanctify, commit, confide, consign, entrust, apply, bestow, employ, use
    near: ignore, neglect, misapply, misuse

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Allocate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Allocate:

allot, allow, apportion, assign, distribute, lot, ration, administer, deal (out), dispense, dole out, hand out, mete (out), parcel (out), portion, prorate, consecrate, dedicate, devote, earmark, give up (to), reserve, save, set by, set apart, set aside

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Allocate

Words with the opposite meaning of Allocate:

misallocate

Related Words for Allocate

admeasure, deal, divide, measure, meter, part, share (out), split, accord, award, give, grant, chip in, contribute, donate, reallocate, reapportion, reassign, redistribute, appropriate, dish out, divvy (up), dollop (out), measure (out), proportion, set, bestow, disburse, furnish, issue

Near Antonyms of Allocate

begrudge, deny, deprive (of), keep, retain, stint, withhold, appropriate, arrogate, confiscate, decline, disallow, refuse, reject, niggle (out), pinch, skimp, ignore, neglect, misapply, misuse

Word Forms of Allocate

Inflections: allocated, allocating

Derived words: allocatable (adjective), allocation (noun), allocator (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Allocate

borrowed from Medieval Latin allocātus, past participle of allocāre "to place, stow, hire out, place on hire, allow, admit, credit," from Latin ad- ad- + locāre "to place, situate" locate

First known use: 1616

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Allocate

Words & Phrases Containing Allocate

misallocate, suballocate

Frequently Asked Questions about Allocate

What does "Allocate" mean?

"Allocate" means to apportion for a specific purpose or to particular persons or things, distribute. As a verb, it is defined as: to apportion for a specific purpose or to particular persons or things, distribute. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Allocate"?

Other words for "Allocate" include allot, allow, apportion, assign, distribute, lot, ration and administer. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Allocate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Allocate"?

There are 75 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Allocate". Common alternatives include allot, allow, apportion, assign, distribute, lot, ration, administer, deal (out) and dispense.

What is the opposite of "Allocate"?

Antonyms of "Allocate" include misallocate. Near antonyms include begrudge, deny, deprive (of) and keep.

How do you use "Allocate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Allocate" in a sentence: "not enough computers to allocate one to every student"; "allocated the housework in such a way that the older kids got more than the younger ones"; "sliced the strawberries after first allocating all the nicest ones for the top of the cake".

Is "Allocate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Allocate" is a verb.

Is "Allocate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Allocate" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Allocate"?

"Allocate" is pronounced /ˈa-lə-ˌkāt/ and divided into syllables as al·lo·cate.