ENGLISH
REFERENCE

intolerant

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪnˈtɑɫɝənt// UK //ɪntˈɒləɹənt// in·tol·er·ant

adj. unable to eat a specific food or take a medicine without getting sick. It also describes someone who refuses to accept different ideas or people.

adj. unable to metabolize or digest a specific substance without adverse physiological effects; also describes a lack of acceptance toward differing opinions or beliefs.


SIMPLE

He is lactose intolerant and avoids drinking milk.

CONTEXTUAL

Patients who are intolerant to standard antibiotics may require a more specialized treatment plan to avoid severe side effects.

COMPLEX

The study examines how a society becomes increasingly intolerant of dissenting voices during periods of economic instability and heightened nationalistic sentiment.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

First attested in the first half of the 18th century; either borrowed from French intolérant (early 17th century) or from its source, Latin intolerāns. By surface analysis, in- + tolerant (itself only attested from the 1780s).

Usage

Often followed by the preposition 'of' when referring to social attitudes, or 'to' when referring to medical sensitivities.

Pitfall

She is intolerant with milkShe is intolerant to milkIn a medical context, the adjective is followed by 'to'; 'with' is a common prepositional error for learners.

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