forgiving

adjective

for·​giv·​ing fər-ˈgi-viŋ How to pronounce forgiving (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There are more forgiving boards out there for intermediate riders, and resort-rippers concerned with technical jibbing should look elsewhere. Drew Zieff, Outside Online, 26 Sep. 2024 Couples who can laugh together about their quirks tend to be more forgiving and less judgmental, fostering a deeper sense of safety in the relationship. Mark Travers, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 American laws remain more forgiving than those in many other wealthy countries, such as Australia and Austria. Michael Waters, The Atlantic, 30 Oct. 2024 Today’s players are much less forgiving, and much more vocal, about substandard games. Barry Collins, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for forgiving 

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of forgiving was in 1623

Dictionary Entries Near forgiving

Cite this Entry

“Forgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forgiving. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!