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

The Bravoverse is a largely forgiving community. —Kate Aurthur, Variety, 11 June 2026

Even so, if Cristian Romero can get healthy, the Argentina starting IX is world-class, and their group is more forgiving than most. —Kellis Robinett, Kansas City Star, 11 June 2026

The most forgiving countries The data for the new paper comes from the Global Flourishing Study, a large international research project backed by a consortium of philanthropic foundations that tracks how people’s well-being changes over time across different cultures and countries. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 June 2026

But pothos are known for being some of the most forgiving houseplants, and those brown lines are typically nothing to worry about. —Heather Bien, The Spruce, 7 June 2026

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