tolerant
/ˈtɒl(ə)r(ə)nt
/adjective
1Showing willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behaviour that one does not necessarily agree with: we must be tolerant of others a more tolerant attitude towards other religions...
- It is high time that we became less tolerant of such unlawful behaviour.
- Cecil was a staunch Protestant but, like the king, took a relatively tolerant attitude towards Catholics.
- It wasn't until the 1990s that there was a more tolerant attitude towards folk art in Finland.
Synonyms
open-minded, forbearing, liberal, unprejudiced, unbiased, unbigoted;
broad-minded, catholic, patient, long-suffering, magnanimous, sympathetic, understanding, charitable, lenient, indulgent, permissive, free and easy, easy-going, complaisant, lax
2(Of a plant, animal, or machine) able to endure specified conditions or treatment: rye is reasonably tolerant of drought [in combination]: fault-tolerant computer systems...
- Some plant species are tolerant of edaphic factors in serpentine soils.
- Apart from the yuzu, the tree is more tolerant of cold than any other tree citrus.
- Some crops are more tolerant of salt, and can maintain their yield well under saline conditions.
Derivatives
tolerantly
/ adverbsense 1. ...- Moreover, before toleration was consciously articulated as a doctrine, several regimes behaved more tolerantly in practice than some which came later, and which claimed to be founded on the principle.
- Of course it is true that, while Hinduism as a faith might privilege tolerance, this does not necessarily mean that all Hindus behave tolerantly.
- If York's adults want young people to behave thoughtfully, responsibly and tolerantly, perhaps we should begin to lead by example.
Origin
Late 18th century: from French tolérant, present participle of tolérer, from Latin tolerare (see tolerate). Compare with earlier intolerant.