Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Inclined or able to forgive.
  • adjective Providing a margin for error or shortcomings.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Disposed to forgive; inclined to overlook offenses; mild; merciful; compassionate: as, a forgiving temper.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Disposed to forgive; inclined to overlook offenses; mild; merciful; compassionate; placable.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Inclined to forgive.
  • verb Present participle of forgive.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective providing absolution
  • adjective inclined or able to forgive and show mercy

Etymologies

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Examples

  • I do believe in forgiving but I also believe in removing that person from the role in which he or she has abused.

    Evening Buzz: John Edwards’ Love Child? 2009

  • I know he had a reason for ... doing what he did but I can't see Kaylin forgiving him any time soon, even if she understands his reasons for doing so.

    Friday Book Club Nalini Singh 2009

  • And again, I know how much the families of the victims are hurting, and rightfully, but Christ himself said there is no grace in forgiving your friends, but grace lies in forgiving your enemies.

    Schumer asks for U.N. condemnation of Libya 2009

  • The airplane is as easy to fly today as it was back then, maybe actually easier, because now it has aerodynamic features that make it more forgiving from the standpoint of taking off and landing.

    The Last Ace 2009

  • The airplane is as easy to fly today as it was back then, maybe actually easier, because now it has aerodynamic features that make it more forgiving from the standpoint of taking off and landing.

    The Last Ace 2009

  • I hate to say this because forgiving is a part of being a christian but this brother made it impossible.

    Obama says he's 'outraged' with pastor's comments 2008

  • Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little child [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving] is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

    Faith of a Child 2007

  • Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little child [trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving] is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

    Archive 2007-08-01 2007

  • We knew it didn't always mean that someone else was right and you were wrong, but in forgiving someone, it meant that you were free of the burden of bitterness.

    Archive 2006-03-01 2006

  • We knew it didn't always mean that someone else was right and you were wrong, but in forgiving someone, it meant that you were free of the burden of bitterness.

    Developing Good Family Relationships 2006

Comments

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  • for-giving: pro sharing

    April 27, 2011