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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- intolerances
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").
Antonyms
Related words
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.
