Tolerate

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈtÉ’l.ɜː(ɹ).eɪt/

Origin

From Latin tolerātus, from tolerō ("I endure"). Cognate with Old English þolian ("to tolerate, suffer, bear"). More at thole.

Full definition of tolerate

Verb

1. To allow (something that one dislikes or disagrees with) to exist or occur without interference.I like the way he plays the guitar, but I can't tolerate his voice when he sings.I can tolerate working on Saturdays, but not on Sundays.

Usage notes

This is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing). See

Synonyms

• allow, bear, brook, endure, live with, put up with

Related terms

• tolerability
• tolerable
• tolerance
• tolerant
• toleration