What does "let" mean?
The allowing of possession of a property etc. in exchange for rent.
Let
/lɛt/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The allowing of possession of a property etc. in exchange for rent.
- Grammar: let is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: allow, permit, accede, accord.
- Useful contrasts: civil order status, compelling, advantage.
- Usage evidence: Let me know if there is anything I can do.
How to use "let"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "let" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "let" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "let" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "let" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "let" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "allow" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "let", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The allowing of possession of a property etc. in exchange for rent.
"Then he says “You would call it a Good Let, Madam?” “O certainly a Good Let sir.”"
- 2 An obstacle or hindrance.
"Without let or hindrance"
- 3 a serve that strikes the net before falling into the receiver's court; the ball must be served again wordnet
- 4 The hindrance caused by the net during serve, only if the ball falls legally.
Verb
- 1 To allow to, not to prevent (+ infinitive, but usually without to). transitive
"After he knocked for hours, I decided to let him come in."
- 2 To hinder, prevent, impede, hamper, cumber; to obstruct (someone or something). archaic
"He who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."
- 3 cause to move; cause to be in a certain position or condition wordnet
- 4 To allow to be or do without interference; to not disturb or meddle with; to leave alone. transitive
"Let me be!"
- 5 To prevent someone from doing something; also to prevent something from happening. obsolete
"& there was syr Mordred redy awaytynge vpon his londage to lette his owne fader to lāde vp the lande that he was kyng ouer. "And there was Sir Mordred ready awaiting upon his landing, to let his own father to land upon the land that he was king over.""
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 leave unchanged wordnet
- 7 To allow the release of (a fluid). transitive
"The physicians let about a pint of his blood, but to no avail."
- 8 To tarry or delay. obsolete
"And for that strake I would not let, / Another upon him soon I set, […]"
- 9 actively cause something to happen wordnet
- 10 To allow possession of (a property etc.) in exchange for rent. British, transitive
"I decided to let the farmhouse to a couple while I was working abroad."
- 11 consent to, give permission; permit wordnet
- 12 To give, grant, or assign, as a work, privilege, or contract; often with out. transitive
"to let the building of a bridge; to let out the lathing and the plastering"
- 13 grant use or occupation of under a term of contract wordnet
- 14 Used to introduce a first or third person imperative verb construction. auxiliary, transitive
"Let's put on a show!"
- 15 make it possible through a specific action or lack of action for something to happen wordnet
- 16 To cause (+ bare infinitive). transitive
"Can you let me know what time you'll be arriving?"
Antonyms
Example
"Let me know if there is anything I can do."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "let"?
Common synonyms include: allow, permit, accede, accord, accredit, admit.
How do you use "let" in a sentence?
Let me know if there is anything I can do.
How do you pronounce "let"?
Pronounced /lɛt/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Derived from Middle English leten, læten, from Old English lǣtan (“to allow, let go, bequeath, leave, rent”), from Proto-West Germanic *lātan, from Proto-Germanic *lētaną (“to leave behind, allow”), from Proto-Indo-European *leh₁d- (“to be tired, leave”). Cognates Cognate with Scots lat, lete (“to let, leave”), Yola leth (“let”), North Frisian leet, let, lätje (“to let”), Bavarian låssn (“to let”), Dutch, Low German laten (“to let, leave”), German lassen, laßen (“to let, leave, allow”), Luxembourgish loossen (“to let, leave”), Yiddish לאָזן (lozn, “to let”), Danish lade (“to let, allow, leave”), Faroese, Icelandic láta (“to let”), Norwegian Bokmål la (“to let, leave”), Norwegian Nynorsk la, lata, late (“let, allow”), Swedish låta (“to let, allow, leave”), Gothic 𐌻𐌴𐍄𐌰𐌽 (lētan, “to let”), Albanian lë (“to allow, let, leave”) and partially related to French laisser (“to let”).
Etymology 2
Derived from Middle English letten (“to hinder, delay”), from Old English lettan (“to hinder, delay”; literally, “to make late”), from Proto-West Germanic *lattjan, from Proto-Germanic *latjaną. Akin to Old English latian (“to delay”), Dutch letten, Old English læt (“late”). More at late, delay.