tolerate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to allow the existence, presence, practice, or act of without prohibition or hindrance; permit.
-
to endure without repugnance; put up with.
I can tolerate laziness, but not incompetence.
-
Medicine/Medical. to endure or resist the action of (a drug, poison, etc.).
-
Obsolete. to experience, undergo, or sustain, as pain or hardship.
verb
-
to treat with indulgence, liberality, or forbearance
-
to permit
-
to be able to bear; put up with
-
med to have tolerance for (a drug, poison, etc)
Other Word Forms
- nontolerated adjective
- nontolerative adjective
- tolerative adjective
- tolerator noun
- untolerated adjective
- untolerating adjective
- untolerative adjective
Etymology
Origin of tolerate
First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin tolerātus “borne,” past participle of tolerāre “to bear”; akin to thole 2
Explanation
The verb tolerate means "to put up with or allow." You can tolerate your sister's love of Broadway musicals but really, you prefer dramas. Think of tolerate as the open-minded verb. It means you allow something to happen or exist, even if you don't really like it. For example, you don't like your neighbor's loud music but you tolerate because he only blasts it on Saturday afternoons. Scientifically speaking, when your body can tolerate a drug, poison or even pollution, it means you aren't harmed by it.
Vocabulary lists containing tolerate
Bud, Not Buddy
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
The Watsons Go to Birmingham
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 5
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But in my view, golfers get into trouble when they chase speed without building the physical foundation, mobility and movement control to tolerate it.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 6, 2026
As a result, these insects can tolerate higher levels of cold-related stress and continue functioning in conditions that would overwhelm most species.
From Science Daily • Mar. 26, 2026
A spokesman told the Financial Times that it did not "tolerate any administration official illegally profiteering off of insider knowledge".
From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026
“Shifting characters is not a hurdle while I write, but once I am done, I do think to myself: will people be able to tolerate so many characters and switching?”
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026
It seemed to make her friends tolerate him, anyway.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
