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to be able to do, manage, or bear without serious consequence or adverse effect:
The country can’t afford another drought.
to be able to meet the expense of; have or be able to spare the price of:
Can we afford a trip to Europe this year? The city can easily afford to repair the street.
to be able to give or spare:
He can’t afford the loss of a day.
to furnish; supply:
The transaction afforded him a good profit.
to be capable of yielding or providing:
The records afford no explanation.
to give or confer upon:
to afford great pleasure to someone.
Contemporary Examples

That’s more expensive than an introductory MacBook Pro and not everyone will be able to afford that.
Adult Entertainment Companies Put Google Glass Technology in Their Sights Aurora Snow June 2, 2013

Consequently, this is an issue where the administration can afford to draw lines in the sand and refuse to compromise.
How to Win 2010 Matthew Yglesias January 9, 2010

My friend group—the gay nightclub sort of people—were always like, ‘Oh I wish I could afford to do that.’
Meet Justin Jedlica, the Real Life Ken Doll Erin Cunningham April 14, 2014

So then why—if they probably can’t find a job or afford the apartment that they live in—are Israelis so damn happy?
Why are the Israelis so Damn Happy? Tiffanie Wen April 13, 2013

Germany could not afford to build an army to equal France’s and also an air force to equal Britain’s.
Rethink Everything You Think You Know About World War II David Frum February 9, 2013

Historical Examples

But I am truly glad that my house has been able to afford you shelter when you were in need of it.
Fernley House Laura E. Richards

Beecot could not afford to make enemies of the pair, and had no wish to do so.
The Opal Serpent Fergus Hume

We cannot afford to put a bar across the 112 difficult road to happiness.
The Affair at the Inn Kate Douglas Wiggin

They are stationary, and dinners are given on board to the Chinese who can afford them.
Four Young Explorers Oliver Optic

I said I enjoyed them, and that as a matter of fact I hadn’t been able to afford eggs for ages.
The Secrets of a Kuttite Edward O. Mousley

verb
preceded by can, could, etc. to be able to do or spare something, esp without incurring financial difficulties or without risk of undesirable consequences: we can afford to buy a small house, I can afford to give you one of my chess sets, we can’t afford to miss this play
to give, yield, or supply: the meeting afforded much useful information
v.

Old English geforðian “to put forth, contribute; further, advance; carry out, accomplish,” from ge- completive prefix (see a- (1)) + forðian “to further,” from forð “forward, onward” (see forth).

Change of -th- to -d- took place late 16c. (and also transformed burthen and murther into their modern forms). Prefix shift to af- took place 16c. under mistaken belief that it was a Latin word in ad-. Notion of “accomplish” (late Old English) gradually became “manage to buy or maintain; have enough money (to do something)” (1833). Older sense is preserved in afford (one) an opportunity. Related: Afforded; affording.