tolerable

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'tolerable' is correct and is often used in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is not overly good but acceptable. For example: "The food was tolerable, but certainly not delicious."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The boom in gift cards is a kind of socially tolerable version of this: the cards are somehow more personal than cash, and they're also not going to be wasted on an unwanted gift.

The Economist

We do not, with respect to clean air and clean water, set the limits of tolerable pollution by consent.

The Guardian - Tech

Powell had little time for anything in between, the reasonable man's halfway house where most tolerable life is carried on.

The Guardian

In saying "tolerable" I am begging the question; but economic history shows that a moderate amount of inflation is a necessary condition for growth.

The Guardian - Business

King, who did more than any other British official to promulgate the adoption of "inflation-targeting", made an impassioned plea last week for its preservation, including, in his speech in Belfast, a history of all those inflationary problems of the 1970s, and the long struggle to bring inflation down to tolerable rates.

The Guardian - Business

Spring can, at best, meet our notions of tolerable weather at 38%.

The Guardian - Opinion

What was tolerable or ignorable 30 years ago is no longer so.

The Guardian

Related: Gulf states to push for a US plan for containing Iran Privately, the administration is said to view some sulking from the Sunni GCC countries as an inevitable but tolerable consequence of its attempt to restore relations with Iran's Shia sphere of influence.

The Guardian

The tactic of pumping out new software as fast as possible and then issuing patches later to fix flaws in the code may be tolerable if all that is lost is data, but if it involves personal safety, consumers will be less tolerant.

The Economist

Inflation hovers at around 6.5%, the upper bound of what the Central Bank deems tolerable.

The Economist

The 2ºC mark is widely considered to be the dividing line between warming which is just about tolerable and that which is dangerous.For the first time, the IPCC gives some credence to the possibility that Earth's climate may not be responding to higher concentrations of greenhouse gases quite as sharply as was once thought.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "tolerable", consider the specific nuance you wish to convey. It implies something is acceptable but not necessarily ideal. Choose stronger words if you want to express greater satisfaction or approval.

Common error

Avoid using "tolerable" when you intend to express enthusiasm or strong approval. The word suggests a compromise or a less-than-ideal situation. For instance, instead of saying 'The movie was tolerable', opt for 'The movie was enjoyable' or 'The movie was excellent' if that better reflects your sentiment.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "tolerable" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something as acceptable or bearable, though not necessarily ideal. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tolerable" functions as an adjective to describe something acceptable but not necessarily ideal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It is most frequently found in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific writing, with a neutral formality level. While a useful word, avoid overusing it in highly positive contexts, where stronger words may be more appropriate. Remember to consider related terms like "bearable" or "acceptable" to add more nuances and precision to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bearable

Indicates something that can be endured, similar to "tolerable" but may imply a higher degree of difficulty.

acceptable

Focuses on meeting a minimum standard or requirement, making it adequate but not necessarily ideal, similar to "tolerable".

passable

Suggests something that is just good enough or adequate, closely aligning with the sense of "tolerable".

endurable

Highlights the ability to withstand something, similar to "tolerable" but emphasizes resilience.

livable

Implies a condition or situation that can be lived with, similar to "tolerable" but focused on living conditions.

sufferable

Highlights the capacity to endure something unpleasant, closely related to "tolerable" in meaning.

manageable

Indicates something that can be controlled or handled, suggesting it's within acceptable limits, similar to "tolerable".

adequate

Focuses on sufficiency or meeting a need, making it acceptable but not exceptional, similar to "tolerable".

permissible

Indicates that something is allowed or permitted, suggesting it falls within acceptable boundaries, closely related to "tolerable".

allowable

Suggests something is permitted or can be allowed, similar to "tolerable" but emphasizes permission or allowance.

FAQs

How can I use "tolerable" in a sentence?

You can use "tolerable" to describe something that is acceptable but not outstanding. For example, 'The pain was tolerable after taking the medication' or 'The working conditions were tolerable, but the pay was low'.

What words can I use instead of "tolerable"?

You can use alternatives like "acceptable", "bearable", or "passable", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something is "tolerable"?

Yes, it is correct. "Tolerable" means capable of being tolerated; endurable. It is a commonly used and grammatically sound word.

What is the difference between "tolerable" and "intolerable"?

"Tolerable" means bearable or acceptable, while "intolerable" means unbearable or unacceptable. They are antonyms.