What's the difference between provide and afford? The definition of the word, "afford", from Longman dictionary is that, > To provide something or allow something to happen. Some examples are following, - The room affords a beautiful view over the city - It afforded her the opportunity to improve her tennis skills. and so on. And the definition of the word, "provide", from same dictionary is that, > to give something to someone or make it available to them, because they need it or want it. I think the basic idea of both are that, to give something to someone. So How should I get the word, "afford", in the following situation, or context? and can I replace it to "provide"? * there is a artificial machine which is bought by a husband without talking to his wife, and he is talking about it with her *. (A is husband, and B is his wife.) A : We've got a month to take it back, we can talk about it then. B : How the hell can we afford it? A : A special offer, over five years, less than we pay for the car.