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

President Biden’s Department of Education (ED) has made fools of those of us who never thought federal bureaucracy could be so forgiving. —Ryan Craig, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024

The only living creature mourning for Cheese is his forgiving furry friend, who sits guard over his once-cruel master. —Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 15 July 2024

There are 24 colors to choose from—including six colorblock options—and a forgiving elastic waist for your comfort. —Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 18 June 2024

The show’s creator Darren Star is way more forgiving of Genevive than those fans, though. —Sophie Hanson, StyleCaster, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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