Tolerate
To allow the existence or occurrence of something, or to endure something unpleasant without interference.
verbTolerate
To allow the existence or occurrence of something, or to endure something unpleasant without interference.
verbImagine This
Picture a calm student in a crowded, noisy library who chooses to hear out a fellow student’s long-winded story rather than interrupt—this is tolerating the distraction.
Sounds Like
TOH-luh-rayt
Looks Like
Looks like tolerant and tolerance (same root toler-).
Remember This
Tolerate does not mean approve or endorse; it means endure or allow something, often something disagreeable.
Other Forms
Connect With
endure, bear, withstand, allow, permit, countenance
Note
Often used with negative or bothersome things (noise, behavior, opinions). It is transitive and typically followed by the thing being endured or allowed (tolerate + [something]). Do not confuse with 'tolerate' meaning 'approve' in moral judgments; the sense is more about bearing or permitting.