let

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   To allow someone to do something or something to happen; to not stop or prevent it.

   Grammar: Takes an object and a bare infinitive (no 'to'): let me go, not 'let me to go'.

   Patterns

   • let someone do something
   • let something happen
   • let someone in/out/through

   My parents let me stay up late on weekends.

   Don't let the dog run into the road.

   She opened the window to let some fresh air in.

2. 2verbtransitive

   Used to make a suggestion or give an instruction that includes the speaker: let's, let us.

   Grammar: Always followed by a bare infinitive and usually written as 'let's' in suggestions.

   Patterns

   • let's do something
   • let us do something

   Let's go to the beach this afternoon.

   Let's not argue about it anymore.

   Let us begin the meeting.

3. 3verbtransitiveBritish

   To allow someone to use a room, house, or land in return for regular payment; to rent out.

   Grammar: Common in British English; in American English 'rent out' is more usual.

   Patterns

   • let something to someone
   • let a room/house/flat

   They let the flat to a young couple.

   The sign said 'Room to let'.

   We let our house while we were abroad.

4. 4nouncountablesport

   In tennis and similar sports, a serve that touches the net but still lands in the correct area, so it is played again.

   Grammar: Countable: a let, two lets.

   Patterns

   • a let serve
   • play a let

   The serve hit the net and landed in, so the umpire called a let.

   She served a let and had to take it again.

Word forms

Common combinations

let go

He let go of the rope and fell into the water.

let someone know

Please let me know when you arrive.

let alone

She can't ride a bike, let alone drive a car.

let down

I promised to help, and I don't want to let you down.

let in

He opened the door to let in some light.

Synonyms and how they differ

allow

More formal than 'let' and used with 'to': allow someone to do something.

permit

Very formal or official; often used in rules and signs.

enable

Focuses on making something possible, not on giving permission.

Opposites

Word family

letting noun

The act of renting out property, especially in British English.

Commonly confused: let or leave?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “let”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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