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

This weekend, Peter Parker is back — a little older, more world-weary and facing a far less forgiving market. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

The Bar Is Higher Now The companies that built their business models around a more forgiving era should take this moment seriously. — Richard Carranza, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

The shirt comes in sizes XS to XL, and the fit is very forgiving. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026

The Leftovers Where Storage Technique Matters Most Some leftovers are more forgiving than others. — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 12 July 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