ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tolerated

v. · adj.
US //ˈtɑɫɝˌeɪtɪd// UK //tˈɒləɹˌeɪtɪd// tol·er·at·ed
  1. 1 to allow or endure (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to have allowed something to happen even if you did not like it, or to have put up with something painful.

    the past tense of 'tolerate', meaning to have permitted something without interference or to have endured a difficult condition.

    Example

    The teacher tolerated the noise for a few minutes before asking for silence.

    Example

    The local government tolerated the informal market for years, recognizing its importance to the community despite the lack of official permits.
  2. 2 permitted or endured (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    describing something that is allowed to exist, even if people do not agree with it.

    describing a state of being permitted or endured, often implying a lack of active approval or a passive acceptance of a nuisance.

    Example

    Smoking was a tolerated habit in the office until the new laws were passed.

    Example

    The presence of stray cats became a tolerated nuisance among the residents, who eventually began providing them with food and shelter.
  3. 3 medical/biological (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    to have been able to take a medicine or food without getting sick.

    to have exhibited the capacity to endure the effects of a drug, physiological condition, or environmental factor without adverse reactions.

    Example

    The patient tolerated the new medication well and showed no side effects.

    Example

    The clinical trial results indicated that the high-dosage regimen was well tolerated by the majority of participants over the six-month period.

Last updated June 20, 2026