tolerant
TO-luh-ruhnt
Tolerant (adjective) means willing to accept or respect beliefs, practices, or people different from one's own. Example: “She raised her kids to be tolerant of other cultures.”
adjective
1
Willing to accept or respect beliefs, practices, or people different from one's own.
"She raised her kids to be tolerant of other cultures."
"The city has a reputation for being tolerant and welcoming."
"Our neighbours are tolerant people who enjoy meeting those with different views."
2
Able to withstand or survive difficult conditions.
"This variety of tomato is more tolerant of frost than most."
"Cacti are tolerant of drought and need very little water."
"Some seaweeds are tolerant of strong sunshine and changing tides."
How to use tolerant
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAccepting of differences in others, or (for plants, materials, etc.) able to withstand harsh conditions.
Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like tolerant.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- tolerants
- Comparative
- more tolerant
- Superlative
- most tolerant
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She raised her kids to be _____ of other cultures.
Etymology
From French "tolérant" or directly from Latin "tolerans," the present participle of "tolerō" ("to endure").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tolerant
See all rhymes for tolerant →Frequently asked questions
What does “tolerant” mean?
The word “tolerant” means willing to accept or respect beliefs, practices, or people different from one's own. In plain terms, accepting of differences in others, or (for plants, materials, etc.) able to withstand harsh conditions.
How do you pronounce “tolerant”?
“Tolerant” is pronounced TO-luh-ruhnt (/ˈtɑːləɹənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “tolerant” in a sentence?
Here is “tolerant” used in a sentence: “She raised her kids to be tolerant of other cultures.”
What is another word for “tolerant”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tolerant” include patient, resistant and sufferable.
What is the opposite of “tolerant”?
The opposite of “tolerant” — its antonyms — are brittle, intolerant, nonresistant, nontolerant and unresistant.
What part of speech is “tolerant”?
“Tolerant” is an adjective.
Where does the word “tolerant” come from?
The word “tolerant” comes from Latin. From French "tolérant" or directly from Latin "tolerans," the present participle of "tolerō" ("to endure").
Is “tolerant” a common word?
“Tolerant” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between tolerant and permissive?
Tolerant means accepting or respecting beliefs, practices, or people that differ from one's own, usually implying a degree of principled restraint. Permissive suggests allowing almost anything with few limits or judgments at all, which can carry a more negative connotation of being lax rather than open-minded.
Can tolerant describe things other than people?
Yes. Besides describing a person who accepts different beliefs or people, tolerant is also used of organisms, materials, or systems that can withstand or survive difficult conditions, as in a drought-tolerant plant.
What is the opposite of tolerant?
The opposite of tolerant is intolerant, meaning unwilling to accept differing beliefs, practices, or people, or unable to withstand certain conditions.
