forgiving

[ fer-giv-ing ]

adjective

1. disposed to forgive; indicating forgiveness:

   a forgiving soul; a forgiving smile.

2. tolerant:

   The mountain is not forgiving of inexperienced climbers.

forgiving

/ fəˈɡɪvɪŋ /

adjective

1. willing to forgive; merciful

Derived Forms

• forˈgivingly, adverb
• forˈgivingness, noun

Other Words From

• for·giving·ly adverb
• for·giving·ness noun
• nonfor·giving adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forgiving¹

First recorded in 1680–90; forgive + -ing ²

Example Sentences

The item is easier to fit than, say, pants or a suit, and more forgiving of any measurement errors.

From Washington Post

The easiest, most forgiving, and flexible way I’ve found to use up spices is to turn them into tisanes or herbal infusions.

From Popular-Science

This dough is surprisingly forgiving thanks to the shortening, so don’t be nervous.

From Washington Post

Customers surprisingly have been very forgiving about losing some of their familiar favorites.

From Fortune

Diouf says he was understanding and forgiving, up to a point.

From Outside Online

However, the Republican base will be far less forgiving of Paul for his criticism of police policy and his courtship of Sharpton.

From The Daily Beast

Don himself was bottomlessly generous and vulnerable and forgiving.

From The Daily Beast

Later his work became more forgiving—in From a Distant Place and of course in this last milestone.

From The Daily Beast

In Miami we sometimes played baseball using a big orange basketball, which sure was easy to hit but not so forgiving.

From The Daily Beast

He is counting on his opponents to overplay their hand, and a forgiving public to let him do his job as governor.

From The Daily Beast

He was beyond reach of earthly justice, anyway; and one can't help forgiving much to a man who faces death with a smile.

From Project Gutenberg

He did not possess the same courage as Oroboni, but followed his example in forgiving all his enemies.

From Project Gutenberg

Although Arnold could thus show himself both brave and forgiving, he had one great fault, his vanity.

From Project Gutenberg

Paul was indeed neither so forgiving nor so long-suffering as he appeared.

From Project Gutenberg

He really seemed to have difficulty in forgiving himself for writing at all.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• lenient
• magnanimous
• merciful