How to pronounce toleration
Say it like tah-luh-RAY-shun. Toleration has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce toleration. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- tah
- luh
- RAY
- shun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Toleration pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- tahGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- luhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- RAYSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
- shunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of toleration
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: tol-uh-RAY-shun.
What does toleration mean?
- The allowance of something not explicitly approved; tolerance, forbearance.
- Specifically, the allowance by a government (or other ruling power) of the exercise of religion beyond the state established faith.
Where does toleration come from?
From Middle French toleration, from Latin tolerātiōnem, accusative singular of tolerātiō, from the verb tolerō (“to tolerate”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with toleration
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of toleration.
Questions about saying toleration
How do you pronounce toleration?
Say tah-luh-RAY-shun. The American pronunciation is /ˌtɑləˈreɪʃən/. In British English it is /tɒləˈreɪʃən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in toleration?
Toleration has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (RAY). Broken into parts: tah · luh · RAY · shun.
Is toleration 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 /tɒləˈreɪʃən/ (tol-uh-RAY-shun).