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

Dolphins reporters this week saw a Mike McDaniel who was more blunt and seemingly less forgiving of mistakes. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 22 Oct. 2025

Even so, in her memoir Sister Jean talks about setting aside daily quiet time and maintaining a forgiving spirit. —NPR, 10 Oct. 2025

Why Nut Type Matters Not all nuts age the same way—some spoil quickly, while others are more forgiving: Raw vs. roasted: Roasted nuts are more vulnerable to spoilage since heat damages their oils. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 2025

The computer zone is rectangular and rulebook-precise, not the more forgiving oval umpires have called for decades. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for forgiving

• almsgiving
• caregiving
• misgiving
• nonliving
• reliving
• thanksgiving
• giving
• living
• sieving
• unforgiving

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