Words / B2

TOL-uh-r-uh-ns/ˈtɒlərəns/

Tolerance is willingness to accept difference, or the amount of variation allowed: religious tolerance; tolerance of error; zero tolerance. Tolerate is the verb. Acceptance is close; patience is about waiting. Intolerance is the opposite. Engineering: manufacturing tolerance. Do not call a legal duty mere tolerance.

Meaning

Willingness to accept behaviour or beliefs you do not share; also the amount of variation allowed.

Examples

• “Workplace policy requires tolerance of religious dress.”
• “The part was outside tolerance, which is why the batch failed the test.”

Good to know

tolerance of / for; religious / zero tolerance. Verb: tolerate. Engineering: manufacturing tolerance. Opposite: intolerance. Not a statutory right.

Near in meaning

acceptance

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