sufferance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal/Legal
Quick answer
What does “sufferance” mean?
The state of being allowed to exist or continue only because of a lack of objection or active permission.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The state of being allowed to exist or continue only because of a lack of objection or active permission; tacit consent.
Endurance of pain, hardship, or inconvenience; the capacity to tolerate something unpleasant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both varieties use the word similarly, but British English may employ it slightly more frequently in legal/administrative contexts.
Connotations
Carries a formal, somewhat archaic tone in both varieties. Implies a precarious or grudging permission.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, but slightly higher in British English due to its use in property law and formal administration.
Grammar
How to Use “sufferance” in a Sentence
[be] on sufferance[hold/occupy] [something] at sufferance[do something] by sufferance of [authority]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sufferance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The council does not sufferance unauthorised encampments.
- He sufferanced the noise with remarkable patience.
American English
- The university does not sufferance plagiarism.
- She sufferanced his rudeness for years.
adverb
British English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form.)
adjective
British English
- (No standard adjectival form. 'Sufferant' is obsolete.)
American English
- (No standard adjectival form. 'Sufferant' is obsolete.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to a temporary or conditional permission to operate, e.g., 'The supplier works on sufferance until the contract is finalized.'
Academic
Used in historical or legal texts discussing rights, permissions, or social tolerance.
Everyday
Rare in casual speech. Might be used humorously or formally, e.g., 'I'm living in my parents' house on sufferance.'
Technical
A legal term in property law for a tenancy that exists without the landlord's agreement but without active eviction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sufferance”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sufferance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sufferance”
- Using it as a direct synonym for 'suffering' (e.g., 'He felt great sufferance' is incorrect).
- Confusing 'on sufferance' with 'on approval' or 'on probation'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While historically related, in modern English 'sufferance' primarily means 'tacit permission' or 'toleration', not the act of experiencing pain.
It is very formal. Using it in casual talk might sound odd or pretentious. Phrases like 'on sufferance' are more likely to be encountered in writing or formal speech.
A legal term for when a tenant remains on a property after their lease has expired, without the landlord's explicit consent but without being evicted. The landlord can choose to end it at any time.
The verb 'to sufferance' is listed in some dictionaries as archaic. In modern English, the related verb is 'to suffer' (in the sense of 'to tolerate'), and 'sufferance' is almost exclusively a noun.
The state of being allowed to exist or continue only because of a lack of objection or active permission.
Sufferance is usually formal/legal in register.
Sufferance: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌf(ə)rəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌf(ə)rəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on sufferance”
- “by sufferance”
- “hold office at the sufferance of”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'suffer' + 'ance'. You 'suffer' something you merely tolerate, not something you welcome.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERMISSION IS A FRAGILE CONTAINER (easily broken or withdrawn).
Practice
Quiz
What does the phrase 'on sufferance' most accurately imply?