let¹ (lĕt)

v., let, let·ting, lets.

v.tr.

1. To give permission or opportunity to; allow: I let them borrow the car. The inheritance let us finally buy a house. See Usage Note at leave¹.
2. To cause to; make: Let the news be known.
3. 1. Used as an auxiliary in the imperative to express a command, request, or proposal: Let's finish the job! Let x equal y.
   2. Used as an auxiliary in the imperative to express a warning or threat: Just let her try!
4. To permit to enter, proceed, or depart: let the dog in.
5. To release from or as if from confinement: let the air out of the balloon; let out a yelp.
6. To rent or lease: let rooms.
7. To award, especially after bids have been submitted: let the construction job to a new firm.

v.intr.

1. To become rented or leased.
2. To be or become assigned, as to a contractor.

phrasal verbs:

let down

1. To cause to come down gradually; lower: let down the sails.
2. 1. To withdraw support from; forsake.
   2. To fail to meet the expectations of; disappoint.

let on

1. To allow to be known; admit: Don't let on that you know me.
2. To pretend.

let out

1. To come to a close; end: School let out early. The play let out at 11 P.M.
2. To make known; reveal: Who let that story out?
3. To increase the size of (a garment, for example): let out a coat.

let up

1. To slow down; diminish: didn't let up in their efforts.
2. To come to a stop; cease: The rain let up.

idioms:

let alone

1. Not to mention; much less: "Their ancestors had been dirt poor and never saw royalty, let alone hung around with them" (Garrison Keillor).

let go

1. To cease to employ; dismiss: had to let 20 workers go.

let off on Informal.

1. To cause to diminish, as in pressure; ease up on: Let off on the gas so that we do not exceed the speed limit.

let (one's) hair down

1. To drop one's reserve or inhibitions.

let (someone) have it Informal.

1. To beat, strike, or shoot at someone.
2. To scold or punish.

let (someone) in on

1. To reveal (a secret) to someone: They finally let me in on their plans.
2. To allow someone to participate in (something).

let up on

1. To be or become more lenient with: Why don't you let up on the poor child?

[Middle English leten, from Old English lǣtan.]

let² (lĕt)
n.

1. Something that hinders; an obstacle: free to investigate without let or hindrance.
2. Sports. An invalid stroke in tennis and other net games that requires a replay.

tr.v. Archaic, let·ted, or let, let·ting, lets.
To hinder or obstruct.

[Middle English lette, from letten, to hinder, from Old English lettan.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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