Tolerance is the quality of allowing other people to say and do as they like, even if you do not agree or approve of it.
[approval]
...his tolerance and understanding of diverse human nature. [+ of]
...the acceptance and tolerance of other ways.
Synonyms: broad-mindedness, charity, sympathy, patience More Synonyms of tolerance
2. uncountable noun [noun NOUN]
Tolerance is the ability to bear something painful or unpleasant.
There is lowered pain tolerance, lowered resistance to infection.
...a low tolerance of errors. [+ of]
3. variable noun
If someone or something has a tolerance to a substance, they are exposed to it so often that it does not have very much effect on them.
People can develop tolerances to allergens. [+ to]
More Synonyms of tolerance
tolerance in British English
(ˈtɒlərəns)
noun
1.
the state or quality of being tolerant
2.
capacity to endure something, esp pain or hardship
3.
the permitted variation in some measurement or other characteristic of an object or workpiece
4. physiology
the capacity of an organism to endure the effects of a poison or other substance, esp after it has been taken over a prolonged period
tolerance in American English
(ˈtɑlərəns)
noun
1.
a.
a tolerating or being tolerant, esp. of views, beliefs, practices, etc. of others that differ from one's own
b.
freedom from bigotry or prejudice
2.
an allowable deviation from a standard or from the theoretical ideal, esp. in the manufacture or assembly of components
; specif.,
a.
the amount that coins are legally allowed to vary from a standard of weight, fineness, etc.
b.
the difference between the allowable maximum and minimum sizes of a part or fitting
3.
the ability to endure
4. Medicine
the natural or developed ability to resist the effects of the continued or increasing use of a drug, etc.
Word origin
ME tolleraunce < MFr tolerance < L tolerantia
tolerance in Mechanical Engineering
(tɒlərəns)
Word forms: (regular plural) tolerances
noun
(Mechanical engineering: Manufacturing and assembly)
A tolerance is the amount of variation that is allowed in a measurement or other characteristicof an object or workpiece.
The thermocouple has a tolerance of plus or minus 2.5 degrees at 1000 degrees C.
Because it had to fit neatly into the bearing, the shaft had to be machined to atight tolerance.
A tolerance is the amount of variation that is allowed in a measurement or other characteristicof an object or workpiece.
Examples of 'tolerance' in a sentence
tolerance
Parents and schools must emphasise the importance of mutual respect and tolerance and warn of the damage bullying can do.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It is not a sign of any disease - some people simply seem to have a very low tolerance.
The Sun (2016)
The picture of his burnt bus is now a campaign poster under the slogan 'zero tolerance for violence '.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I have a zero drugs tolerance at my clubs... The situation can be fixed.
The Sun (2016)
You have to be selfish to know what you like, to care for yourself, which in fact breeds tolerance and respect for the other person.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Hope can also affect your pain tolerance.
Claudia Hammond EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER: A Journey Through the Science of Feelings (2005)
The tolerance that stops people wearing crosses while reading the news?
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
We are nudged into an attitude of acceptance and tolerance.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Your extra understanding and tolerance gets a family pulling together.
The Sun (2010)
It seems to me that fashions in social tolerance change as much as fashions in frocks.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
You generally have a low tolerance threshold and have lost your sense of humour.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Such learning makes a vital contribution to respect and tolerance of individuals with different beliefs.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
You build up tolerance to it in training.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The reason this is a great country is the tolerance of people.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Through our acceptance and tolerance we have earned the right to correct her in love.
Christianity Today (2000)
There is zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol.
The Sun (2010)
The moon focuses on family life to add understanding and tolerance.
The Sun (2011)
Certainly there is much evidence of tolerance and understanding.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There is a sense of detached acceptance and tolerance.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Quite right, in terms of religious tolerance.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They found turning the air blue increased pain tolerance by 50 per cent.
The Sun (2012)
They saw it as a beacon of British tolerance and respect.
The Sun (2015)
It has received western and Jordanian backing and has officially committed itself to democracy and religious tolerance.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
When you're in a pub your brain expects you to drink and learns to build tolerance.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
They found it increased pain tolerance by 50 per cent.
The Sun (2014)
They have championed a 'zero tolerance' approach in their recruitment of riders and staff.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The aim is to get them to sign up to a 'zero tolerance' manifesto.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Quotations
Live and let liveJ.C.F. SchillerWallenstein's Camp
Tolerance is only another name for indifferenceW. Somerset Maugham
Tolerance should really be only a temporary attitude; it must lead to recognitionGoethe
In other languages
tolerance
British English: tolerance NOUN
Tolerance is the quality of allowing other people to say and do as they like, even if you do not agree or approve of it.
...his tolerance and understanding of diverse human nature.
American English: tolerance
Brazilian Portuguese: tolerância
Chinese: 宽容
European Spanish: tolerancia
French: tolérance
German: Toleranz
Italian: tolleranza
Japanese: 寛大さ
Korean: 관용
European Portuguese: tolerância
Latin American Spanish: tolerancia
1 (noun)
Definition
the quality of accepting other people's rights to their own opinions, beliefs, or actions
his tolerance and understanding of diverse human nature
Synonyms
broad-mindedness
charity
He had no sense of right and wrong, no charity, no humanity.
sympathy
patience
It's important to keep your patience in situations such as this.
indulgence
forbearance
a high degree of tolerance and forbearance
permissiveness
magnanimity
open-mindedness
sufferance
lenity
Opposites
discrimination
,
prejudice
,
intolerance
,
bigotry
,
sectarianism
,
narrow-mindedness
2 (noun)
Definition
capacity to endure something, esp. pain or hardship
She has a high tolerance for pain.
Synonyms
endurance
a test of endurance
resistance
stamina
You have to have a lot of stamina to be a top-class dancer.
fortitude
He suffered his illness with dignity and fortitude.
resilience
the resilience of human beings
toughness
staying power
Someone who lacks staying power is unlikely to make a good researcher.
hardness
Her hardness is balanced by a goofy humor.
hardiness
the hardiness, endurance and courage of my companions
3 (noun)
Definition
the capacity to endure the effects of a continued or increasing dose of a drug, poison, etc.
Invasive insects can build up a tolerance to poison.
Synonyms
resistance
a natural resistance to the disease
immunity
immunity to airborne bacteria
resilience
non-susceptibility
4 (noun)
Definition
an acceptable degree of variation in a measurement or value
Synonyms
variation
play
There should be just enough play to allow the trunk to expand.
swing
His mood swings are concerning me, I hope he's okay.
fluctuation
Don't worry about tiny fluctuations in your weight.
Quotations
Live and let live [J.C.F. Schiller – Wallenstein's Camp]Tolerance is only another name for indifference [W. Somerset Maugham]Tolerance should really be only a temporary attitude; it must lead to recognition [Goethe]
Additional synonyms
in the sense of charity
Definition
a kindly attitude towards people
He had no sense of right and wrong, no charity, no humanity.
Synonyms
kindness,
love,
pity,
humanity,
affection,
goodness,
goodwill,
compassion,
generosity,
indulgence,
bounty,
altruism,
benevolence,
Agape,
fellow feeling,
benignity,
bountifulness,
tenderheartedness,
aroha (New Zealand)
in the sense of fluctuation
Don't worry about tiny fluctuations in your weight.
Synonyms
change,
shift,
swing,
variation,
instability,
alteration,
wavering,
oscillation,
alternation,
vacillation,
unsteadiness,
inconstancy
in the sense of forbearance
a high degree of tolerance and forbearance
Synonyms
patience,
resignation,
restraint,
tolerance,
indulgence,
long-suffering,
moderation,
self-control,
leniency,
temperance,
mildness,
lenity,
longanimity (rare)
Synonyms of 'tolerance'
tolerance
Explore 'tolerance' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fortitude
Definition
calm and patient courage in trouble or pain
He suffered his illness with dignity and fortitude.
Synonyms
courage,
strength,
resolution,
determination,
guts (informal),
patience,
pluck,
grit,
endurance,
bravery,
backbone,
perseverance,
firmness,
staying power,
valour,
fearlessness,
strength of mind,
intrepidity,
hardihood,
dauntlessness,
stoutheartedness
in the sense of hardiness
the hardiness, endurance and courage of my companions
Synonyms
resilience,
fortitude,
toughness,
robustness,
ruggedness,
sturdiness
in the sense of hardness
Her hardness is balanced by a goofy humor.
Synonyms
severity,
toughness,
callousness,
strictness,
lack of compassion,
sternness,
cold-heartedness,
hard-heartedness
in the sense of immunity
Definition
the ability of an organism to resist disease
immunity to airborne bacteria
Synonyms
resistance,
protection,
resilience,
inoculation,
immunization
in the sense of indulgence
Definition
liberal or tolerant treatment
Synonyms
tolerance,
understanding,
patience,
courtesy,
goodwill,
forbearance
in the sense of patience
Definition
the capacity for calmly enduring difficult situations
It's important to keep your patience in situations such as this.
Synonyms
forbearance,
tolerance,
composure,
serenity,
cool (slang),
restraint,
calmness,
equanimity,
toleration,
sufferance,
even temper,
imperturbability
in the sense of play
Definition
scope for freedom of movement
There should be just enough play to allow the trunk to expand.
Synonyms
movement,
room,
space,
give (informal),
swing,
sweep,
margin,
slack,
latitude,
leeway,
freedom of movement,
elbowroom,
free motion
in the sense of resilience
the resilience of human beings
Synonyms
strength,
toughness,
adaptability,
hardiness
in the sense of stamina
Definition
energy and strength sustained while performing an activity over a long time
You have to have a lot of stamina to be a top-class dancer.
Synonyms
staying power,
endurance,
resilience,
force,
power,
energy,
strength,
resistance,
grit,
vigour,
tenacity,
welly (slang),
power of endurance,
indefatigability,
lustiness
in the sense of staying power
Definition
endurance to complete something undertaken
Someone who lacks staying power is unlikely to make a good researcher.
Synonyms
endurance,
strength,
stamina,
toughness
Additional synonyms
in the sense of swing
His mood swings are concerning me, I hope he's okay.