venial sin

noun

, Roman Catholic Church.

1. a transgression against the law of God that does not deprive the soul of divine grace either because it is a minor offense or because it was committed without full understanding of its seriousness or without full consent of the will.

venial sin

noun

1. Christianity a sin regarded as involving only a partial loss of grace Compare mortal sin

Word History and Origins

Origin of venial sin¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

The enormity of Catherine’s cancer diagnosis, and her plea for “time, space and privacy,” have eclipsed the venial sins of Kate-Gate.

From Los Angeles Times

Besides the many venial sins uncovered by the authors, a graver set of dubious practices emerges.

From Washington Post

Gene Weingarten’s entertaining and otherwise accurate list of venial sins in his Nov. 1 Washington Post Magazine column, “Gene engages in venial labor,” reflected an error of canonical proportion.

From Washington Post

Father Byrnes went on to discuss the difference between mortal and venial sins.

From Literature

My reservations have little to do with standard criticisms like awkward performances or clunky production values — venial sins, surely, for new filmmakers trying to find their way.

From Los Angeles Times