What does tolerant mean?
Tolerant means willing to accept people whose beliefs, customs, identities, or practices differ from your own, especially without hostility or discrimination. The word is often used in discussions of social tolerance, cultural diversity, and political moderation: a tolerant community may still contain strong disagreements, but it does not punish people merely for expressing different views. Tolerant can also mean able to endure a difficult condition, as in a person who is tolerant of heat or an animal that is tolerant of drought. In biological contexts, it describes an organism able to withstand particular environmental stresses. The word generally carries a positive social connotation, emphasizing patience, understanding, and freedom from persecution. At the same time, its meaning can vary in focus: acceptance of difference, permission for something undesirable, or capacity to endure hardship. It is therefore a useful word for distinguishing respect and coexistence from active agreement.
adjectiveAccepting or allowing people to hold different opinions, beliefs, customs, or practices without hostility or discrimination. In biological and technical contexts, it means able to withstand or tolerate particular environmental conditions.
- Accepting or respecting people whose beliefs, customs, or practices differ from one's own.
- Allowing something unpleasant or undesirable to exist or happen.
- Able to survive under particular environmental or biological conditions.
"The community sought to remain tolerant of the many cultures represented within it."
"Her tolerant attitude made it easy for colleagues to speak openly with her."
"This species is tolerant of drought and can survive in poor soils."
A tolerant society does not require everyone to agree; it requires people to disagree without persecution.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tolerant come from?
Tolerant entered English in the late 16th century, borrowing the French tolerant from Latin tolerantem, the present participle of tolerare, “to endure” or “bear.” The Latin verb formed the basis of related English words such as tolerate, tolerance, tolerable, and intolerant. Over time, tolerant developed both its familiar sense of accepting differences and its older sense of enduring or bearing something with patience.
Related word forms
How tolerant is actually used
In social contexts, tolerant is usually neutral or approving and suggests acceptance without hostility or discrimination. It can also describe a willingness to endure an unpleasant condition, as in 'tolerant of heat.' The word is common in both British and American English and is not restricted to a particular register.
Easily confused with tolerant
Tolerate is a verb meaning to allow or endure something, whereas tolerant is an adjective describing someone or something that accepts difference or can withstand conditions.
Tolerable means acceptable or able to be endured, while tolerant describes a person, organism, or system that accepts differences or withstands difficult conditions.