letting Definition

let¹
verb let, letting

1a. To allow, permit, or cause to do something;

Example: let her daughter borrow the car
Thesaurus: allow, sanction, permit, authorize, OK, agree to, consent to, enable, empower, delegate, give leave, give the go-ahead to, give the green light to; Antonym: forbid, prohibit.
1b. Used in commands, orders, warnings, etc:;

Example: let him go
1c. Let us, used in suggestions: shall we.

Example: Let's go
Form: let's (contraction)
(Brit)
2. To give the use of (rooms, a building, or land) in return for payment.

Thesaurus: lease, rent, rent out, hire out.
3. math.philos.
To suggest a symbol or a hypothesis be understood as something.
Example: Let ‘D' be the distance travelled

noun

1. The leasing of a property, etc.

Example: got the let of the cottage for £100 a week
2. The period of time for which a property, etc is leased.

Example: a two-week let

Derivative: lettable
adj

Fit to be leased or capable of being leased.

Idiom: let alone

Used to link alternatives so that the extent of one's disapproval, surprise, etc is emphasized:.
Example: didn't even clear the table let alone do the washing up
Thesaurus: not to mention, not to speak of.

Idiom: let fall

To drop.

To mention or hint.

Idiom: let fly at someone

To attack them physically or verbally.

Idiom: let go of something

To release or stop holding it.
Thesaurus: relinquish, part with, release, dismiss, abandon; Antonym: keep, hold on to.

Idiom: let off steam

To show emotion, especially anger, in an unrestrained way.

Idiom: let oneself go

To act without restraint.

To allow one's appearance or lifestyle, etc to deteriorate.

Idiom: let someone alone (let someone be)

To avoid disturbing or worrying them.
Thesaurus: ignore, isolate, leave, leave in peace, let be, get off someone's back (slang).

Idiom: let someone have it

colloq
To attack them either physically or verbally.

Idiom: let someone know

colloq
To tell them something at a later time.
Example: let you know tomorrow if I can go

Idiom: let someone off the hook

To free them from a responsibility, commitment or promise.

Idiom: let something drop

To make secret information, etc known, especially unintentionally.

Idiom: let something loose

To release it.

Idiom: let the cat out of the bag

To let a secret out.

Idiom: let well alone

To hold back from interfering in something for fear of making it worse.
Thesaurus: forget, ignore, let alone.

Idiom: to let

Said of property: available for rent.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon lætan to permit.

Phrasal Verb: let someone or something down

To disappoint or fail to help them at a crucial time.To lower them or it.To allow the air to escape from something inflated.
Example: let down the tyres
To make longer.
Example: let the hem down

Phrasal Verb: let someone or something in, out

To allow or cause them to pass in, out, etc
Example: Will someone let the cat in?

Phrasal Verb: let someone in for something

To involve them in something difficult or unpleasant.

Phrasal Verb: let someone in on something

To share a secret, etc with them.

Phrasal Verb: let off

To fart.

Phrasal Verb: let someone off

To allow them to go without punishment, etc.To release them from work, duties, etc.

Phrasal Verb: let something off

To fire (a gun) or explode (a bomb).To release (liquid or gas).

Phrasal Verb: let someone or something out

To release them or it.

Phrasal Verb: let something out

To enlarge it.
Example: let out the waist of the jeans
To emit (a sound).
Example: let out a horrible scream

Phrasal Verb: let up

To stop or to become less strong or violent.
Example: The rain let up at last