tolerate
tol·er·ate
transitive verb \ˈtä-lə-ˌrāt\tol·er·at·edtol·er·at·ing
Definition of TOLERATE
1
: to endure or resist the action of (as a drug or food) without serious side effects or discomfort : exhibit physiological tolerance for
2
a : to allow to be or to be done without prohibition, hindrance, or contradiction b : to put up with <learn to tolerate one another>
— tol·er·a·tive \-ˌrā-tiv\ adjective
— tol·er·a·tor \-ˌrā-tər\ noun
Examples of TOLERATE
- Our teacher will not tolerate bad grammar.
- Racist or sexist behavior will not be tolerated.
- I can't tolerate that noise.
- The government cannot tolerate lawlessness.
- How can you tolerate such laziness?
- These plants tolerate drought well.
- I don't like my boss, but I tolerate him.
Origin of TOLERATE
Latin toleratus, past participle of tolerare to endure, put up with; akin to Old English tholian to bear, Latin tollere to lift up, latus carried (suppletive past participle of ferre), Greek tlēnai to bear
First Known Use: 1524
Related to TOLERATE
Rhymes with TOLERATE
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tol·er·ate
transitive verb \ˈtäl-ə-ˌrāt\ (Medical Dictionary)tol·er·at·ed; tol·er·at·ing
Medical Definition of TOLERATE
: to endure or resist the action of (as a drug or food) without serious side effects or discomfort : exhibit physiological tolerance for <a premature baby…does not tolerate fats very well—H. R. Litchfield & L. H. Dembo>
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