forgiving

adjective

for·​giv·​ing fər-ˈgi-viŋ 

fȯr-

1

: willing or able to forgive

2

: allowing room for error or weakness

designed to be a forgiving tennis racquet

forgivingly adverb

forgivingness noun

Examples of forgiving in a Sentence

a person with a forgiving nature

Recent Examples on the Web

Some fans expressed empathy, urging Ray J to seek help, while others were less forgiving. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 6 Dec. 2024

The Court usually asks whether these distinctions have a rational basis, a test most forgiving to lawmakers. —The Editors, National Review, 5 Dec. 2024

Mostly just the fact that yeast is actually surprisingly so forgiving and easy to work with. —Bon Appétit, 5 Dec. 2024

Although progress was tempered by a 1-3 home defeat to Nottingham Forest, having performed reasonably well in more demanding games against Manchester United and Chelsea and with a slightly more forgiving run of games to come, Cooper was in a good position. —Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

forgiving

adjective

for·​giv·​ing

fər-ˈgiv-iŋ,

fȯr-

1

: showing forgiveness : inclined or ready to forgive

a person with a forgiving nature

2

: allowing for human error or weakness

a tennis racket designed to be forgiving

forgivingly adverb

forgivingness noun