let
let Lexical Profile
let Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To allow or permit someone or something to do something, or to refrain from preventing an action.
"The teacher let the students leave a few minutes early on Friday afternoon."
To allow or cause someone or something to pass, enter, or exit a particular place or state.
"She opened the window to let some fresh air into the stuffy room."
To express a proposal, suggestion, exhortation, or assumption in the imperative mood (used as an auxiliary verb).
"Let us review the main findings before making a final decision."
British To grant the temporary use or occupancy of a room, house, or land in return for regular rent payments.
"They decided to let their spare bedroom to a university student for the academic year."
• noun
In racket sports such as tennis or squash, a serve or point that does not count and must be replayed, typically because the ball clipped the top of the net or due to an obstruction.
"The umpire called a let when the served ball grazed the top of the net before landing in the service box."
British A period during which a room, house, or other property is rented out to a tenant.
"They secured a six-month holiday let in the countryside while their own home was being renovated."
An impediment, obstacle, or hindrance (now archaic except in the legal phrase 'without let or hindrance').
"The diplomatic passport allows the envoy to travel across borders without let or hindrance."
Word Nuance & Usage
When 'let' means to allow or permit, it takes a bare infinitive without 'to' (e.g., 'She let him go'). Additionally, 'let' is a contronym: the common verb means 'to allow,' whereas the archaic root (preserved in the legal phrase 'without let or hindrance' and the tennis term 'let') means 'to hinder or obstruct.'
• Rhymes for let
Word Origin & Etymology
The common verb meaning 'to allow' derives from Old English 'lǣtan' (to leave behind, allow, rent out). The noun and archaic verb meaning 'hindrance' or 'to obstruct' come from a separate Old English word, 'lettan' (to hinder or delay), related to 'late'.