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

Those details can be ironed out with time and experience but the Euros will be less forgiving. —Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025

Helfrich and the team felt that traditional cream formulas can be heavier, harder to blend, and less forgiving on the skin. —Sophia Panych, Allure, 1 Apr. 2025

Lastly, remembering that the public is more forgiving when organizations take public responsibility and show accountability. —Rick Pozniak, Boston Herald, 1 Apr. 2025

Her body is still healing, but her ability to love people shows how forgiving animals are. —Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 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