What does "tolerate" mean?

1. (to allow or permit) to allow something to happen even if you do not like it or agree with it. 2. (to endure or bear) to be able to handle something difficult, painful, or unpleasant without being harmed.

How do you use "tolerate"?

Takes a direct object, often a behaviour or a situation. Often used in medical or biological contexts regarding substances or physical conditions.

tolerate

US //ˈtɑɫɝˌeɪt// UK //tˈɒləɹˌeɪt// tol·er·ate

1 to allow or permit (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

to allow something to happen even if you do not like it or agree with it.

to permit the existence or occurrence of something that one does not necessarily like or approve of without interference.

Example

The school does not tolerate bullying and will punish anyone who does it.

Example

The administration made it clear that they would no longer tolerate persistent lateness among the staff, regardless of the excuses provided.

Usage

Takes a direct object, often a behaviour or a situation.
2 to endure or bear (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to be able to handle something difficult, painful, or unpleasant without being harmed.

to endure or resist the action of something, such as a drug or environmental condition, without adverse effects.

Example

Some plants can tolerate very cold weather and stay green all winter.

Example

Patients usually tolerate the new medication well, though a small minority report mild headaches during the first week of treatment.

Usage

Often used in medical or biological contexts regarding substances or physical conditions.
- succumb

Origin

Borrowed from Latin tolerātus, the perfect passive participle of tolerō (“to endure”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Cognate with Old English þolian (“to tolerate, suffer, bear”) and French tolérer. More at thole.