Word
tolerable
Phoneticstol·er·a·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈtɑɫɝəbəɫ/
UK/tˈɒləɹəbəl/
Definition
adj. good enough to be accepted, even if it is not perfect or great. You use this to describe something that is okay or that you can handle without too much trouble.
adj. capable of being endured or accepted; moderately good or satisfactory. Often used to describe conditions or qualities that are adequate but lack excellence.
Examples
“The weather was tolerable, so we decided to walk to the park.”
“While the hotel room was small and basic, the cleanliness made the stay tolerable for a single night.”
“The administration implemented several minor reforms to make the working conditions more tolerable, though the staff continued to advocate for more substantial structural changes.”
Examples
simple
“The weather was tolerable, so we decided to walk to the park.”
contextual
“While the hotel room was small and basic, the cleanliness made the stay tolerable for a single night.”
complex
“The administration implemented several minor reforms to make the working conditions more tolerable, though the staff continued to advocate for more substantial structural changes.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'be', 'become', or 'remain'.
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English tolerable, borrowed from Middle French tolerable, from Latin tolerābilis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
- 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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