How to pronounce tolerance
Say it like TAH-luh-runs. Tolerance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce tolerance. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TAH
- luh
- runs
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tolerance pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- runsKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of tolerance
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: TOL-uh-runs.
What does tolerance mean?
- the power or capacity of an organism to tolerate unfavorable environmental conditions
- a disposition to allow freedom of choice and behavior
- the act of tolerating something
Where does tolerance come from?
Inherited from Middle English toleraunce, borrowed from Old French tolerance, from Latin tolerantia (“endurance”), from tolerāns, present participle of, and participial adjective from Latin tolerō (“to endure”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying tolerance
How do you pronounce tolerance?
Say TAH-luh-runs. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɑlərəns/. In British English it is /ˈtɒlərəns/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in tolerance?
Tolerance has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TAH). Broken into parts: TAH · luh · runs.
Is tolerance pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈtɒlərəns/ (TOL-uh-runs).