Bearable: meaning, definitions and examples

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bearable

 

[ˈberəb(ə)l ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

in a situation

Capable of being borne or endured; tolerable; endurable.

Synonyms

acceptable, endurable, manageable, sustainable, tolerable.

Examples of usage

  • It was a long and difficult journey, but the beautiful scenery made it bearable.
  • His jokes were so bad that they were barely bearable.
Context #2 | Adjective

in a condition

Capable of being held, or capable of holding; tenable.

Synonyms

credible, defensible, plausible, reasonable, valid.

Examples of usage

  • The theory is bearable under certain assumptions.
  • The argument is not bearable in the absence of evidence.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English word 'beran', meaning to carry or endure.
  • It combines 'bear' (to endure) with the suffix '-able', used to indicate capability.
  • This word evolved by the late 14th century during a time of growth in the English language, reflecting both physical and emotional endurance.

Psychology

  • The concept of bearability relates closely to coping mechanisms, which are strategies to manage stress.
  • Studies show that framing challenges as bearable can enhance one’s resilience and adaptability.
  • People often reframe negative experiences into bearable ones by focusing on positive outcomes.

Literature

  • In many literary works, characters often face situations that test their limits, making the experience bearable is a fundamental theme.
  • Bearable conditions are often contrasted with unbearable ones to highlight a character’s growth through adversity.
  • Classic novels frequently explore the idea of emotional bearability, where characters develop strength through trials.

Pop Culture

  • Popular songs often reference bearable pain as a metaphor for love and relationships, suggesting that some heartaches are manageable.
  • In various film genres, characters face bearable challenges that ultimately teach valuable life lessons.
  • Catchphrases like 'it's bearable' frequently appear in memes and social media discussions about everyday struggles.

Science

  • Research in stress psychology indicates that individuals can often withstand significant discomfort, labeling these feelings as bearable.
  • The concept of tolerance in biology aligns with the idea of bearability, as organisms can endure fluctuating environmental conditions.
  • Studies on pain perception reveal that the mind plays a crucial role in determining whether an experience is bearable or intolerable.

Translations

Translations of the word "bearable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 suportável

🇮🇳 सहनीय

🇩🇪 erträglich

🇮🇩 terbawa

🇺🇦 терпимий

🇵🇱 znośny

🇯🇵 耐えられる (taerareru)

🇫🇷 supportable

🇪🇸 soportable

🇹🇷 katlanılabilir

🇰🇷 견딜 수 있는 (gyeondil su inneun)

🇸🇦 محتمل

🇨🇿 snesitelný

🇸🇰 znesiteľný

🇨🇳 可忍受的 (kě rěnshòu de)

🇸🇮 znosljiv

🇮🇸 þolanlegur

🇰🇿 шыдауға болатын

🇬🇪 დასაშვები

🇦🇿 dözülən

🇲🇽 soportable

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,102, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.