Words / B2

TOL-uh-rayt/ˈtɒləreɪt/

To tolerate is to accept something unpleasant, or to allow what you dislike: tolerate delays; will not tolerate abuse. Endurance is physical; put up with is everyday. Tolerance is the noun. Do not write “tolerate someone to do”. Regulators: will not tolerate misleading adverts.

Meaning

To accept something unpleasant without fighting it; also to allow something you dislike.

Examples

• “The regulator will not tolerate misleading fee adverts.”
• “Some crops tolerate drought better, which is the biological sense.”

Good to know

tolerate + noun/-ing; will not tolerate. Everyday: put up with. Noun: tolerance. Not “tolerate someone to”. Biology: tolerate drought. Formal bans.

Near in meaning

endure

New