What does intolerability mean?
Intolerability is a formal noun meaning the condition of being impossible or extremely difficult to tolerate. It describes qualities that exceed ordinary limits of patience, comfort, fairness, or acceptability, such as intolerable heat, obstruction, discrimination, or delay. The word is especially common in political, legal, social, and workplace discussions, where it can characterize conduct or conditions regarded as fundamentally unacceptable. In everyday speech, people may more often use the adjective 'intolerable' or the noun 'intolerance,' but 'intolerability' provides a precise, abstract way of describing the degree or quality of what is being endured. Its formation reflects the Latin root underlying 'tolerate,' 'tolerable,' and 'tolerance': the idea of bearing or enduring something without unacceptable distress.
nounThe quality or condition of being unable or unwilling to be tolerated. It refers to something that is excessively unpleasant, objectionable, or difficult to endure.
- The quality of being intolerable; the state of being too unpleasant, objectionable, or severe to be tolerated.
"The intolerable heat and the intolerability of the crowded platform led her to abandon the journey."
"The intolerability of the proposal prompted several members of the committee to object."
"She spoke about the intolerability of working in an environment where basic differences were dismissed."
Plural forms are possible but uncommon because the word usually functions as a mass noun for a quality or condition.
"The report identified several intolerabilities in the proposed system."
Intolerability is the formal noun for the point at which patience runs out: what is merely difficult becomes impossible to endure.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does intolerability come from?
The word was formed in English from the prefix in- and the Latin root associated with tolerare, 'to bear or endure,' with the suffix -ability. Its relatives include 'tolerate,' 'tolerable,' 'tolerance,' and 'intolerable.' The development reflects the general English pattern in which an adjective such as 'intolerable' is converted into an abstract noun ending in -ability.
How intolerability is actually used
Relatively formal and abstract. It is less common than the adjective 'intolerable' and is often used in legal, political, or analytical contexts.
Easily confused with intolerability
Intolerability means the quality of being intolerable, whereas intolerance usually denotes an unwillingness to accept differing beliefs, behaviours, or conditions.
Intolerable is an adjective describing something that cannot be tolerated, while intolerability is the noun for that quality or condition.