intolerance

/ɪnˈtɒlərəns/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌɪntˈɑlɚəns] /ɪnˈtɑːlərəns/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌɪntˈɑlɚəns] /(ˌ)in-ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s How to pronounce intolerance (audio) -ˈtäl-rən(t)s/ (ame, mw)

intolerance — noun

  • intolerancesingular
  • intolerancesplural

1. an unwillingness to let other people keep beliefs or habits unlike your own, oft

1.名詞C1
釋義

an unwillingness to let other people keep beliefs or habits unlike your own, often expressed through hostility or unfair treatment

例句

The mayor's intolerance toward migrant families upset many local volunteers.

intolerance toward + group of people

Eve left the online group after months of intolerance toward gay students.

同義詞
  • bigotry

    stronger; suggests stubborn and openly hostile prejudice

  • prejudice

    focuses on unfair opinion formed before knowing the facts

  • narrow-mindedness

    milder; stresses a limited outlook more than open hostility

反義詞
  • tolerance

    willingness to accept people or ideas different from your own

  • openness

    readiness to hear and consider different views

文法句型

intolerance of [beliefs/behaviour/people]

intolerance toward [group]

用法筆記

Often followed by "of" or "toward." The object is usually a group of people, a belief, or a social practice. Distinguish from sense 2, which is about the body's reaction to a substance.

常見錯誤

❌The article showed intolerance to other cultures.
✅The article showed intolerance toward other cultures.
💡for social attitudes, toward or of is more natural than to.
❌His intolerance of milk made dinner difficult.
✅His intolerance of milk is a medical issue.
💡intolerance of a food belongs to sense 2, not this social-attitude sense.

2. a condition in which the body reacts badly to a food, medicine, or similar subst

2.名詞B2
釋義

a condition in which the body reacts badly to a food, medicine, or similar substance instead of handling it normally

例句

Wei's lactose intolerance means even a small milk tea makes him sick.

compound: lactose intolerance

The doctor tested Talia for gluten intolerance after months of stomach pain.

同義詞
  • sensitivity

    broader and sometimes milder; the reaction may be less specific

  • adverse reaction

    wider medical term for a harmful response to a substance

反義詞
  • tolerance

    ability to take a food or drug without harmful effects

文法句型

[food] intolerance

intolerance to [food/drug]

intolerance of [substance]

用法筆記

Common in compounds such as "lactose intolerance" and "gluten intolerance." Often appears in medical or dietary contexts. Distinguish from an allergy: intolerance usually means the body cannot process something well, not that the immune system is attacking it.

常見錯誤

❌She has an allergy to milk.
✅She has lactose intolerance.
💡intolerance is about the body not processing something normally, while allergy is an immune reaction.
❌Omar has intolerance for dairy.
✅Omar has intolerance to dairy.
💡in this medical sense, to is the usual preposition after intolerance.

3. the feeling or condition of being physically unable to put up with pain, heat, n

3.名詞C1
釋義

the feeling or condition of being physically unable to put up with pain, heat, noise, or another strain on the body

例句

After the surgery, Camille's intolerance of bright light kept her indoors.

intolerance of + physical stimulus

The baby's intolerance of loud noise became obvious during the street parade.

同義詞
  • oversensitivity

    suggests reacting too strongly to a physical stimulus

  • low tolerance

    near-opposite framing; emphasises that very little can be endured

反義詞
  • tolerance

    ability to bear a physical condition without trouble

  • endurance

    capacity to continue through pain or strain

文法句型

intolerance of [pain/noise/heat/light]

show intolerance of [physical condition]

用法筆記

Usually followed by a physical condition such as pain, heat, noise, or light. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about not enduring a sensation or strain, not reacting badly to a particular food or drug.

常見錯誤

❌His intolerance of slow service annoyed the waiter.
✅His impatience with slow service annoyed the waiter.
💡this sense is about physical strain, not ordinary irritation.
❌Her intolerance of sugar made dessert impossible.
✅Her intolerance of sugar is a medical problem.
💡inability to handle a food belongs to sense 2.