tolerance

tolerance — noun

1. The attitude of accepting that others may hold opinions or follow customs unlike

1.名詞B2
釋義

The attitude of accepting that others may hold opinions or follow customs unlike what one personally believes, without insisting they change.

例句

The city's strength lies in its tolerance of different religions and cultural traditions.

collocation: tolerance of + religions / cultures

Andrés showed remarkable tolerance toward a colleague who held very different political views.

同義詞
  • acceptance

    implies a warmer, more approving attitude than tolerance

  • open-mindedness

    focuses on being willing to consider new ideas

  • forbearance

    more formal; suggests restraint from acting on disagreement

反義詞
  • intolerance

    unwillingness to accept different views or practices

  • prejudice

    preconceived negative judgment not based on reason

文法句型

tolerance of [something/someone]

tolerance toward [something/someone]

用法筆記

Subject is often a community, institution, or abstract entity rather than a specific individual. Frequently appears in political, legal, or educational discussions about diversity and human rights.

常見錯誤

❌A good leader shows tolerance to every decision made by the team.
✅A good leader shows tolerance toward different opinions within the team.
💡tolerance is about accepting difference, not about agreeing with every decision.
❌She has tolerance for spicy food.' (when meaning the ability to endure)
✅She has tolerance for people who work differently from her.' (for sense 1)
💡tolerance of different behaviours belongs to sense 1; physical endurance belongs to sense 2.

2. The ability to continue dealing with pain, difficulty, or annoying situations wi

2.名詞B2
釋義

The ability to continue dealing with pain, difficulty, or annoying situations without giving up or breaking down.

例句

Ziad has a remarkably high tolerance for stress and rarely loses his temper at work.

pattern: tolerance for + stress / pain / discomfort

Daichi's tolerance of the long daily commute surprised even his closest friends.

同義詞
  • endurance

    more physical; focuses on lasting through hardship

  • stamina

    emphasises prolonged physical or mental energy

  • fortitude

    formal; courage in facing pain or adversity

反義詞
  • impatience

    inability to tolerate delay or annoyance

  • intolerance

    used more for sense 1, but can apply here in medical contexts

文法句型

tolerance for [pain/stress/difficulty]

tolerance of [something unpleasant]

用法筆記

Often appears in the pattern "tolerance for [something unpleasant]." Modified by adjectives such as "high," "low," "remarkable," or "limited." Distinguished from sense 1 by the object: here the object is something unpleasant (pain, noise, delay), not somebody's beliefs.

常見錯誤

❌I have a lot of tolerance for spicy food. I eat it every day.' (confusing with sense 3)
✅My tolerance for spicy food has grown over the years.
💡this belongs to sense 3 (biological/physiological), not sense 2 (endurance of difficulty).
❌She showed patience toward the crying baby.
✅She showed tolerance toward the crying baby.
💡patience is about waiting calmly; tolerance is about enduring something unpleasant.

3. A reduction in the body's response to a drug, poison, or environmental condition

3.名詞C1
釋義

A reduction in the body's response to a drug, poison, or environmental condition after repeated exposure, so that larger amounts are needed to achieve the same effect.

例句

Regular use of the medication can lead to tolerance, so doctors carefully adjust the dosage.

pattern: lead to / build tolerance to medication

Hassan developed a tolerance to the sleeping pills after taking them for several months.

同義詞
  • resistance

    often used for pathogens or pests; implies active defence rather than reduced responsiveness

  • adaptation

    broader term for any adjustment to environmental conditions

  • acclimatisation

    specifically refers to gradual adjustment to a new climate or environment

反義詞
  • sensitivity

    strong reaction to a substance at normal doses

  • allergy

    immune system overreaction to a harmless substance

文法句型

tolerance to [drug/substance/condition]

develop tolerance to [something]

build tolerance to [something]

用法筆記

Medical contexts typically use the pattern "tolerance to [drug]." Environmental biology uses "tolerance to [condition]" (e.g. drought, salinity). Do not confuse with "addiction" — tolerance is a physical change in responsiveness; addiction includes psychological dependence.

常見錯誤

❌The patient developed an allergy to the antibiotic.' (when meaning reduced effectiveness)
✅The patient developed a tolerance to the antibiotic.
💡tolerance means the drug becomes less effective, not that the body rejects it.
❌He is tolerant to alcohol.
✅He has a high tolerance to alcohol.
💡the adjective 'tolerant' is used for sense 1 (accepting of people), not for biological responses.

4. The range of acceptable difference between a measured value and a standard speci

4.名詞C1
釋義

The range of acceptable difference between a measured value and a standard specification, beyond which the result would cause problems.

例句

The engineers designed the engine part with a tolerance of just 0.01 millimetres.

pattern: tolerance of + precise measurement value

Wren checked whether each pipe's diameter fell within the acceptable tolerance.

同義詞
  • allowance

    deliberate difference between parts for assembly purposes; more specific than tolerance

  • margin of error

    used in statistics and measurement; the acceptable boundary of inaccuracy

文法句型

tolerance of [measurement]

within tolerance

tight tolerance

用法筆記

A technical term in engineering, manufacturing, and quality control. Often expressed as a plus/minus value (e.g. ±0.5 mm). Common in phrases like "within tolerance" (acceptable) and "outside tolerance" (unacceptable).

常見錯誤

❌The machine has a high tolerance for errors.
✅The machine operates within a tight tolerance of 0.01 mm.
💡'high tolerance' in engineering means a LARGE allowed deviation (less precise), not a lot of forgiveness.
❌We need to tolerate a small measurement error.
✅The design specifies a tolerance of ±2 mm for the measurement.
💡tolerance is a noun specifying the allowed range, not the act of tolerating.