tolerance

tolerance — noun

1. The attitude of accepting that others may hold opinions or follow customs unlike

1.nounB2
Definition

The attitude of accepting that others may hold opinions or follow customs unlike what one personally believes, without insisting they change.

Example

The city's strength lies in its tolerance of different religions and cultural traditions.

collocation: tolerance of + religions / cultures

Andrés showed remarkable tolerance toward a colleague who held very different political views.

Common collocations
  • religious tolerance
  • cultural tolerance
  • racial tolerance
  • mutual tolerance
  • show tolerance
  • promote tolerance
  • lack of tolerance
  • tolerance toward
Synonyms
  • acceptance

    implies a warmer, more approving attitude than tolerance

  • open-mindedness

    focuses on being willing to consider new ideas

  • forbearance

    more formal; suggests restraint from acting on disagreement

Antonyms
  • intolerance

    unwillingness to accept different views or practices

  • prejudice

    preconceived negative judgment not based on reason

Grammar Patterns

tolerance of [something/someone]

tolerance toward [something/someone]

Usage Note

Subject is often a community, institution, or abstract entity rather than a specific individual. Frequently appears in political, legal, or educational discussions about diversity and human rights.

Common Mistakes

A good leader shows tolerance to every decision made by the team.
A good leader shows tolerance toward different opinions within the team.
tolerance is about accepting difference, not about agreeing with every decision.
She has tolerance for spicy food.' (when meaning the ability to endure)
She has tolerance for people who work differently from her.' (for sense 1)
tolerance of different behaviours belongs to sense 1; physical endurance belongs to sense 2.

2. The ability to continue dealing with pain, difficulty, or annoying situations wi

2.nounB2
Definition

The ability to continue dealing with pain, difficulty, or annoying situations without giving up or breaking down.

Example

Ziad has a remarkably high tolerance for stress and rarely loses his temper at work.

pattern: tolerance for + stress / pain / discomfort

Daichi's tolerance of the long daily commute surprised even his closest friends.

Common collocations
  • pain tolerance
  • stress tolerance
  • high tolerance for
  • low tolerance for
  • limited tolerance
  • tolerance of
Synonyms
  • endurance

    more physical; focuses on lasting through hardship

  • stamina

    emphasises prolonged physical or mental energy

  • fortitude

    formal; courage in facing pain or adversity

Antonyms
  • impatience

    inability to tolerate delay or annoyance

  • intolerance

    used more for sense 1, but can apply here in medical contexts

Grammar Patterns

tolerance for [pain/stress/difficulty]

tolerance of [something unpleasant]

Usage Note

Often appears in the pattern "tolerance for [something unpleasant]." Modified by adjectives such as "high," "low," "remarkable," or "limited." Distinguished from sense 1 by the object: here the object is something unpleasant (pain, noise, delay), not somebody's beliefs.

Common Mistakes

I have a lot of tolerance for spicy food. I eat it every day.' (confusing with sense 3)
My tolerance for spicy food has grown over the years.
this belongs to sense 3 (biological/physiological), not sense 2 (endurance of difficulty).
She showed patience toward the crying baby.
She showed tolerance toward the crying baby.
patience is about waiting calmly; tolerance is about enduring something unpleasant.

3. A reduction in the body's response to a drug, poison, or environmental condition

3.nounC1
Definition

A reduction in the body's response to a drug, poison, or environmental condition after repeated exposure, so that larger amounts are needed to achieve the same effect.

Example

Regular use of the medication can lead to tolerance, so doctors carefully adjust the dosage.

pattern: lead to / build tolerance to medication

Hassan developed a tolerance to the sleeping pills after taking them for several months.

Common collocations
  • drug tolerance
  • alcohol tolerance
  • glucose tolerance
  • build tolerance
  • develop tolerance
  • drought tolerance
  • salt tolerance
  • tolerance to
Synonyms
  • resistance

    often used for pathogens or pests; implies active defence rather than reduced responsiveness

  • adaptation

    broader term for any adjustment to environmental conditions

  • acclimatisation

    specifically refers to gradual adjustment to a new climate or environment

Antonyms
  • sensitivity

    strong reaction to a substance at normal doses

  • allergy

    immune system overreaction to a harmless substance

Grammar Patterns

tolerance to [drug/substance/condition]

develop tolerance to [something]

build tolerance to [something]

Usage Note

Medical contexts typically use the pattern "tolerance to [drug]." Environmental biology uses "tolerance to [condition]" (e.g. drought, salinity). Do not confuse with "addiction" — tolerance is a physical change in responsiveness; addiction includes psychological dependence.

Common Mistakes

The patient developed an allergy to the antibiotic.' (when meaning reduced effectiveness)
The patient developed a tolerance to the antibiotic.
tolerance means the drug becomes less effective, not that the body rejects it.
He is tolerant to alcohol.
He has a high tolerance to alcohol.
the adjective 'tolerant' is used for sense 1 (accepting of people), not for biological responses.

4. The range of acceptable difference between a measured value and a standard speci

4.nounC1
Definition

The range of acceptable difference between a measured value and a standard specification, beyond which the result would cause problems.

Example

The engineers designed the engine part with a tolerance of just 0.01 millimetres.

pattern: tolerance of + precise measurement value

Wren checked whether each pipe's diameter fell within the acceptable tolerance.

Common collocations
  • close tolerance
  • tight tolerance
  • within tolerance
  • outside tolerance
  • manufacturing tolerance
  • acceptable tolerance
  • tolerance limit
  • tolerance range
Synonyms
  • allowance

    deliberate difference between parts for assembly purposes; more specific than tolerance

  • margin of error

    used in statistics and measurement; the acceptable boundary of inaccuracy

Grammar Patterns

tolerance of [measurement]

within tolerance

tight tolerance

Usage Note

A technical term in engineering, manufacturing, and quality control. Often expressed as a plus/minus value (e.g. ±0.5 mm). Common in phrases like "within tolerance" (acceptable) and "outside tolerance" (unacceptable).

Common Mistakes

The machine has a high tolerance for errors.
The machine operates within a tight tolerance of 0.01 mm.
'high tolerance' in engineering means a LARGE allowed deviation (less precise), not a lot of forgiveness.
We need to tolerate a small measurement error.
The design specifies a tolerance of ±2 mm for the measurement.
tolerance is a noun specifying the allowed range, not the act of tolerating.

Word family

  • tolerate
    verbB2
  • tolerant
    adjectiveB2
  • intolerance
    nounB2
  • intolerant
    adjectiveB2
  • tolerable
    adjectiveC1
  • tolerably
    adverbC1
  • toleration
    nounC1
  • intolerable
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Tolerance, acceptance, open-mindedness, forbearance, and patience all relate to dealing with difference or difficulty, but with important distinctions. Tolerance allows something you may disagree with to exist; acceptance goes further by approving or embracing it. Open-mindedness focuses on a willingness to consider new ideas before judging them. Forbearance is more formal and emphasises restraint from exercising the right to object. Patience is about calmly enduring delay or annoyance, whereas tolerance (sense 1) specifically concerns allowing others to hold different beliefs or behave differently. For example: 'The community showed tolerance toward the new religious group' (allowed them to practise) versus 'The community showed acceptance of the new religious group' (welcomed them as equals).

acceptance ↗open-mindedness ↗forbearancepatience ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • within tolerance
  • beyond tolerance
  • tolerance level
  • tolerance limit
  • tolerance threshold
  • tolerance range

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

From Latin 'tolerare' meaning to bear, endure, or withstand. Entered English through Old French 'tolerance' in the 15th century, originally meaning the ability to endure pain or hardship. The sense of allowing religious freedom emerged in the 16th century during the Reformation. The engineering meaning of an allowable deviation from a standard developed in the 19th century alongside industrial manufacturing.