Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

tolerate

/ˈtɑ.lə.ɹeɪt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.84 in modern English

Syllables
tol-er-ate
IPA
/ˈtɑ.lə.ɹeɪt/
8
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To allow or permit without explicit approval, usually if it is perceived as negative.

Transitive verb

verb

To bear, withstand.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

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.

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈtɑ.lə.ɹeɪt/
  • British English: /ˈtɒl.ə.ɹeɪt/

Usage

Inflected Forms

tolerates (present, singular) tolerating (participle, present) tolerated (participle, past) tolerated (past)

Derived Forms

toleratable tolerative tolerator

Frequently Paired Words

tolerability tolerable tolerance tolerant toleration

Synonyms

allow take endure withstand bear live with put up with stand countenance have abear abide

Antonyms

chafe discriminate lose one's temper prohibit rage snap

Questions

How do you pronounce tolerate?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈtɑ.lə.ɹeɪt/.
What does tolerate mean?
To allow or permit without explicit approval, usually if it is perceived as negative.
Where does tolerate come from?
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.

How to pronounce tolerate

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “tolerate”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈtɑ.lə.ɹeɪt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “tolerate”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “tolerate” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.