Tolerant
/ˈtɒlərənt/
Definitions
2 meaningsShowing willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.
/ˈtɒlərənt/
Willing to accept opinions, beliefs, or behaviors that are different from your own.
It's important to be tolerant of other cultures.
💡 Simply: Being tolerant means you're cool with people having different opinions or doing things differently than you. Imagine your friend loves a band you don't care for, but you still listen with them because you're tolerant!
👶 For kids: Being tolerant means being okay with other people being different or having different ideas than you do.
More Examples
The teacher was tolerant of her students' mistakes.
A tolerant attitude is key to resolving conflicts peacefully.
How It's Used
"A tolerant society welcomes people of all backgrounds and beliefs."
"The politician advocated for a more tolerant approach to immigration."
Showing the capacity to endure something, especially a drug or substance.
/ˈtɒlərənt/
Able to endure or withstand something.
The body became tolerant to the drug after several weeks.
💡 Simply: This is like when your body can 'handle' a new medicine or your garden can 'handle' a dry spell. It means your body or something else can deal with something without getting hurt.
👶 For kids: When something can handle something else, like a medicine or the sun, without getting sick or hurt, that's being tolerant!
More Examples
These plants are very tolerant of cold weather.
The material is tolerant of high temperatures.
How It's Used
"The patient was tolerant to the medication, showing no adverse reactions."
"The plant is very tolerant of drought conditions."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
tolerance level
The degree to which something is tolerated or permitted. This can refer to social acceptance or the body's reaction to a substance (e.g., medication).
"The company has a low tolerance level for employee misconduct."
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."
From Latin *tolerans*, present participle of *tolerare* ('to bear, endure'). The word evolved from signifying the ability to endure hardship to encompass acceptance of differing opinions and practices.
The word's use expanded in the 17th and 18th centuries, particularly in discussions of religious tolerance during the Enlightenment.
Memory tip
Think of a toll booth: you pay the toll to pass, even if you don't like paying it. Tolerant people 'pay the toll' of accepting differences.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: tolerare