tolerate
B2Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
To allow or endure something unpleasant or undesirable without opposition or interference.
To accept or permit something, often with reluctance or patience, without actively supporting or approving it.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies passive acceptance or endurance rather than approval; can be used in contexts of permission or patience.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties employ the word similarly.
Connotations
Neutral in both, with a slight formal tone in academic or professional contexts.
Frequency
Equally common in British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
transitive verb with direct object (e.g., tolerate something)verb with gerund (e.g., tolerate doing something)verb with noun phrase (e.g., tolerate the situation)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in discussions of workplace ethics, e.g., 'The firm does not tolerate discrimination.'
Academic
Common in social sciences and philosophy, e.g., 'Democratic societies must tolerate diverse opinions.'
Everyday
Used in casual conversations about patience, e.g., 'I can't tolerate loud neighbours.'
Technical
In fields like engineering or medicine, e.g., 'This alloy can tolerate extreme stress.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She cannot tolerate rudeness in meetings.
- We must tolerate diverse viewpoints in public discourse.
American English
- He can't tolerate the humidity in Florida.
- The software is built to tolerate system errors.
adverb
British English
- He nodded tolerantly during the lengthy debate.
- She smiled tolerantly at the puppy's mischief.
American English
- They waited tolerantly for the delayed start.
- He responded tolerantly to the unfair criticism.
adjective
British English
- The tolerant approach of the council is appreciated.
- She is remarkably tolerant of constant interruptions.
American English
- He holds a tolerant perspective on cultural differences.
- The coating is tolerant to harsh weather conditions.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I tolerate my sister's messy room.
- She tolerates the rainy weather.
- We should tolerate different traditions.
- He cannot tolerate loud noises at night.
- The school must tolerate peaceful student protests.
- She has grown to tolerate his forgetfulness.
- Modern democracies are expected to tolerate ideological diversity.
- The organism can tolerate significant environmental changes.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'tolerate' as 'to-ler-ate' – imagine having to 'tolerate' a tedious lecture where 'ler' sounds like 'learn' but you're just enduring it.
Conceptual Metaphor
Tolerating is bearing a burden; allowing something to occupy space without removal or conflict.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Direct translation from 'терпеть' may imply suffering, whereas 'tolerate' focuses on acceptance.
- Avoid using 'tolerate' for positive endorsement; it often carries a negative or neutral nuance.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrectly using 'tolerate' with 'to' infinitive, e.g., 'I tolerate to wait' instead of 'I tolerate waiting'.
- Confusing 'tolerate' (verb) with 'tolerance' (noun) in sentence construction.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'tolerate'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly; 'tolerate' often implies enduring something negative, while 'accept' can be more neutral or positive.
Rarely; it typically conveys endurance of something undesirable, though context can soften the negativity.
It is primarily a transitive verb, used with direct objects (e.g., tolerate noise) or gerunds (e.g., tolerate waiting).
'Tolerate' often suggests passive allowance, while 'endure' can imply stronger, active suffering or perseverance.