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noun Uncommon

intolerance

ihn-TOL-uh-ruhns

Intolerance (noun) means Unwillingness to accept beliefs, behaviour, or people that differ from one's own. Example: “The novel is a powerful attack on religious intolerance.”

noun
1
Unwillingness to accept beliefs, behaviour, or people that differ from one's own.
"The novel is a powerful attack on religious intolerance."
2
Medicine: an inability to properly digest or process a particular food or substance.
"He was diagnosed with lactose intolerance as a child."

How to use intolerance

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRefusing to accept differing views or people, or, medically, an inability to handle a certain food.

Common mistake

A food intolerance (digestive discomfort) is not the same as a food allergy (an immune reaction that can be life-threatening).

Easily confused with
Common pairings
religious intolerance lactose intolerance zero intolerance

Word forms

intolerances plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The novel is a powerful attack on religious _____.

Etymology

From French intolerance, or directly from Latin intolerantia, from in- ("not") plus tolerantia ("tolerance").

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for intolerance

See all rhymes for intolerance →

Frequently asked questions

What does “intolerance” mean?

The word “intolerance” means unwillingness to accept beliefs, behaviour, or people that differ from one's own. In plain terms, refusing to accept differing views or people, or, medically, an inability to handle a certain food.

How do you pronounce “intolerance”?

“Intolerance” is pronounced ihn-TOL-uh-ruhns (/ɪnˈtɑ.lə.ɹəns/ in IPA).

How do you use “intolerance” in a sentence?

Here is “intolerance” used in a sentence: “The novel is a powerful attack on religious intolerance.”

What part of speech is “intolerance”?

“Intolerance” is a noun.

Where does the word “intolerance” come from?

The word “intolerance” comes from Latin. From French intolerance, or directly from Latin intolerantia, from in- ("not") plus tolerantia ("tolerance").

Is “intolerance” a common word?

“Intolerance” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “intolerance” have?

“Intolerance” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unwillingness to accept beliefs, behaviour, or people that differ from one's own.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial