adjective Uncommon

tolerable

TO-luh-ruhbl

Tolerable (adjective) means Able to be endured or put up with; bearable. Example: “The heat was tolerable as long as we stayed in the shade.”

adjective

Able to be endured or put up with; bearable.

"The heat was tolerable as long as we stayed in the shade."

"His level of noise complaints became barely tolerable by the third week."

Acceptable but not impressive; passable or mediocre.

"The food at the new café was tolerable, nothing more."

How to use tolerable

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomething that can be put up with, or that's just okay rather than great.

Common mistake

Don't confuse "tolerable" (able to be endured, or just okay) with "tolerant" (accepting of others' views or behaviour).

Easily confused with

tolerant →

Word forms

more tolerable comparative, more tolerable comparative, most tolerable superlative, most tolerable superlative

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The heat was _____ as long as we stayed in the shade.

Etymology

From Middle French "tolerable," from Latin "tolerābilis."

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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abideable bearable endurable livable portable sufferable supportable survivable withstandable

Antonyms

insufferable insupportable intolerable nonsurvivable nontolerable unabideable unbearable unendurable

Related words

bad mobile lasting portable unacceptable tolerant unbearable permissible

Rhymes for tolerable

able fable cable table viable liable stable tenable parable affable amiable notable

See all rhymes for tolerable →

Frequently asked questions

What does “tolerable” mean?

The word “tolerable” means able to be endured or put up with; bearable. In plain terms, something that can be put up with, or that's just okay rather than great.

How do you pronounce “tolerable”?

“Tolerable” is pronounced TO-luh-ruhbl (/ˈtɑləɹəbl̩/ in IPA).

How do you use “tolerable” in a sentence?

Here is “tolerable” used in a sentence: “The heat was tolerable as long as we stayed in the shade.”

What is another word for “tolerable”?

Words with a similar meaning to “tolerable” include abideable, bearable, endurable, livable, portable and sufferable.

What is the opposite of “tolerable”?

The opposite of “tolerable” — its antonyms — are insufferable, insupportable, intolerable, nonsurvivable and nontolerable.

What part of speech is “tolerable”?

“Tolerable” is an adjective.

Where does the word “tolerable” come from?

The word “tolerable” comes from Latin. From Middle French "tolerable," from Latin "tolerābilis.".

Is “tolerable” a common word?

“Tolerable” is an uncommon word in modern English.

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