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.
Kevin Kelly, a hairstylist and founder of Kevin Kelly Salon, says that straight, wavy and curly hair all respond to hair cuts differently, with curly and wavy styles being a little more forgiving if a trim isn't completely even. Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025 The vast majority of skeptics were far less forgiving. Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2025 There’s no roof between you and nature, and the adaptive suspension is a skosh more forgiving. Lawrence Ulrich, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2025 Those details can be ironed out with time and experience but the Euros will be less forgiving. Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Forgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forgiving. Accessed 1 May. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on forgiving

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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