tolerate
//ˈtɒl.ə.ɹeɪt//
Forms
- present (v1)
- tolerate
- past (v2)
- tolerated
- past participle (v3)
- tolerated
- present participle
- tolerating
- 3rd person singular
- tolerates
Definitions
1.To allow or permit without explicit approval, usually if it is perceived as negative.
- The party tolerated corruption within its ranks.
2.To bear, withstand.
- The elevator can tolerate up to 360 kilograms.
- I can tolerate working on Saturday, but not Sunday.
Frequency
Overall
Rare· #4693
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Rare
- General reading & writing
- Rare
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin tolerātus, the perfect passive participle of tolerō (“to endure”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix).
Cognate with Old English þolian (“to tolerate, suffer, bear”) and French tolérer.
More at thole.