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 film highlights that people are more than one thing, encouraging a more holistic outlook that is inherently more forgiving and less judgmental. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025

Fortunately, today’s fashion rules are far more forgiving, and crisp whites are fair game all year. —Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 21 Aug. 2025

Both commonly recommend soft, silicone toe spacers (in addition to other interventions, like exercises, toe socks, and more forgiving shoes) to a subset of their patients. —Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 20 Aug. 2025

For the record, Republicans seem to be more forgiving. —Susan Page, USA Today, 31 July 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