noun
Common
tolerance
TOL-uh-ruhns
Tolerance (noun) means Acceptance of beliefs, practices, or people different from one's own, without prejudice. Example: “A good neighbour shows tolerance when people live their lives differently from their own.”
noun
1
Acceptance of beliefs, practices, or people different from one's own, without prejudice.
"A good neighbour shows tolerance when people live their lives differently from their own."
"Teaching children tolerance helps them get along with classmates from all backgrounds."
"The school promotes tolerance of different cultures and religions."
2
The capacity of the body to endure or resist something, such as a drug, pain, or infection.
"Some people have a low tolerance for spicy food and drink milk afterwards."
"Athletes train for years to raise their tolerance to pain and fatigue."
"Regular drinkers can build up a tolerance to alcohol over time."
3
The permitted amount of variation from a standard measurement in engineering or manufacturing.
"Each bolt must fit within a very tight tolerance, or the machine will shake."
"The engineer checked that every component stayed inside the allowed tolerance."
"The part was machined to a tolerance of half a millimeter."
How to use tolerance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe ability to put up with something — whether that's other people's beliefs, a drug's effects, or an engineering measurement's built-in wiggle room.
Common pairings
religious tolerance
build up a tolerance
zero tolerance
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Word forms
- Plural
- tolerances
- Third person singular
- tolerances
- Past tense
- toleranced
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A good neighbour shows _____ when people live their lives differently from their own.
Etymology
From Old French "tolerance," from Latin "tolerantia" ("endurance"), from "tolerō" ("to endure").
Synonyms
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open-mindedness
forbearance
broad-mindedness
endurance
leniency
acceptance
leeway
permissiveness
allowance
margin
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tolerance
See all rhymes for tolerance →Frequently asked questions
What does “tolerance” mean?
The word “tolerance” means acceptance of beliefs, practices, or people different from one's own, without prejudice. In plain terms, the ability to put up with something — whether that's other people's beliefs, a drug's effects, or an engineering measurement's built-in wiggle room.
How do you pronounce “tolerance”?
“Tolerance” is pronounced TOL-uh-ruhns (/ˈtɑ.lə.ɹəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “tolerance” in a sentence?
Here is “tolerance” used in a sentence: “The school promotes tolerance of different cultures and religions.”
What is the opposite of “tolerance”?
The opposite of “tolerance” — its antonyms — is intolerance.
What part of speech is “tolerance”?
“Tolerance” is a noun.
Where does the word “tolerance” come from?
The word “tolerance” comes from Latin. From Old French "tolerance," from Latin "tolerantia" ("endurance"), from "tolerō" ("to endure").
Is “tolerance” a common word?
“Tolerance” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tolerance” have?
“Tolerance” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: acceptance of beliefs, practices, or people different from one's own, without prejudice.
What is the difference between tolerance and acceptance?
Tolerance means allowing beliefs, practices, or people different from your own without prejudice, even if you privately disagree with them. Acceptance goes a step further and implies genuine approval or welcome. In short, you can tolerate something you dislike, but accepting it suggests you embrace it.
What is the difference between drug tolerance and drug dependence?
Tolerance is the body's capacity to endure or resist a substance, so a regular dose gradually produces a weaker effect and a larger amount is needed for the same result. Dependence means the body has adapted to the substance so strongly that it reacts badly when the substance is withdrawn. A person can develop tolerance to a drug without being dependent on it.
What is a tolerance in engineering and manufacturing?
In engineering, a tolerance is the permitted amount of variation from a standard measurement — the margin by which a finished part may acceptably differ from its specified dimension. Tight tolerances demand greater precision and usually make a part more expensive to produce.
Is tolerance the same as patience?
No. Patience is the ability to wait or endure delay calmly without becoming annoyed, while tolerance is the acceptance of beliefs, practices, or people different from one's own, or the capacity to endure something such as pain or a drug. You show patience in a slow queue but tolerance toward opinions you disagree with.
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