Tolerance
/ˈtɒlərəns/
Definitions
3 meaningsAcceptance and respect for the existence of opinions, beliefs, or behaviors that differ from one's own; the capacity to endure or accommodate something, often involving a degree of disapproval.
/ˈtɒlərəns/
The ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.
The school promotes tolerance among students from different backgrounds.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a friend who loves a food you don't. Tolerance means you still respect their choice and don't make them feel bad for liking it. It's about being okay with things being different.
👶 For kids: Being nice and accepting of other people, even if they're different from you.
More Examples
Developing tolerance requires open-mindedness and empathy.
Societies flourish with tolerance and understanding.
How It's Used
"Promoting religious tolerance is crucial for a diverse society."
"Tolerance of different viewpoints is key to healthy relationships."
The diminishing effect of a drug or other substance as a result of continued use; the process by which the body adapts to the presence of a foreign substance.
/ˈtɒlərəns/
The capacity of the body to endure or become less responsive to a substance (especially a drug) after prolonged use or exposure.
Drug tolerance can make it difficult to control pain effectively.
💡 Simply: Imagine drinking coffee every day. At first, one cup wakes you up. After a while, you need two or three cups because your body is getting used to the caffeine. That's tolerance!
👶 For kids: When your body gets used to something, like a medicine.
More Examples
The body's tolerance to alcohol can vary from person to person.
Chronic exposure can lead to tolerance and dependence.
How It's Used
"Developing tolerance to opioids can lead to a need for higher doses."
"The patient exhibited a high tolerance for the medication."
The permitted range of variation in a measurement or specification; the amount of deviation from a standard that is acceptable.
/ˈtɒlərəns/
The allowable amount of variation or deviation.
The engineering design specified precise tolerances for each component.
💡 Simply: Imagine building with Lego bricks. Tolerance is like saying, "It's okay if the bricks don't fit *exactly* perfectly; there's a little bit of space where it's still acceptable."
👶 For kids: How much it can be off and still be okay.
More Examples
The manufacturing process must meet strict tolerance requirements.
The tolerance level for the product's dimensions was quite small.
How It's Used
"The manufacturing process has tight tolerances for precision."
"The tolerance for error in the product was very narrow."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
zero tolerance
The policy of applying strict and consistent consequences for any violation of rules, regardless of circumstances.
"The school implemented a zero-tolerance policy on bullying."
have a low tolerance for...
To not be able to deal with or endure something; to easily become annoyed or irritated by something.
"I have a low tolerance for loud noises."
From Latin *tolerantia*, from *tolerare* 'to endure, tolerate'. The word entered English in the late 16th century, initially referring to the capacity to endure pain or hardship, later extending to acceptance of beliefs or practices different from one's own.
The concept of tolerance, particularly religious tolerance, became increasingly important during the Enlightenment period, as a response to religious conflicts and the persecution of minority groups.
Memory tip
Think of 'tolerate' as accepting differences like allowing multiple flavors of ice cream in a bowl, even if you don't like them all.
Word Origin
"to endure, tolerate"