Word
intolerance
Phoneticsin·tol·er·ance, stress on the second syllable
US/ˌɪnˈtɑɫɝəns/
UK/ɪntˈɒləɹəns/
Definitions
01prejudice
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the refusal to accept people who have different beliefs, backgrounds, or ways of life.
n. an unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or lifestyles that differ from one's own. Uncountable in this abstract sense.
“The community worked hard to fight religious intolerance and bring people together.”
“The rise of political intolerance in the region has made it increasingly difficult for moderate voices to participate in public debate.”
Antonyms
02physical sensitivity
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Medicine
n. a condition where your body has trouble digesting a specific food or reacting to a drug.
n. a physiological inability to digest or process a particular substance, such as a food or medication, without adverse effects. Often countable when referring to specific types.
“Since she has a lactose intolerance, she uses almond milk in her coffee.”
“Patients with a known intolerance to gluten must be extremely cautious when dining out, as even trace amounts can cause significant discomfort.”
Pitfall
He has an intolerance for milk.
He has an intolerance to milk.
In a medical context, we usually say someone has an intolerance 'to' a substance, not 'for' it.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“There are also questions about food allergies and intolerances when several brands or cuisines share the same preparation space.” “The majority of the world is unable to process the lactose in milk without uncomfortable symptoms Olga Miltsova/iStock via Getty Images Plus Lactose intolerance makes drinking milk or eating ice cream a literal pain.” Etymology
Borrowed from French intolérance, itself from in- (“not”) + tolérance or borrowed from Latin intolerantia (“insolence, insufferableness; (very rare) intolerance”). By surface analysis, in- + tolerance.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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