forgiveness
n.-
1 the act of pardoning (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe act of deciding not to be angry with someone anymore for something they did wrong.
the intentional process of letting go of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you.
ExampleShe asked for his forgiveness after she realized how much her words had hurt him.
ExampleThe victim's family eventually granted the defendant forgiveness, a gesture that profoundly moved everyone present in the courtroom.
UsageUsually uncountable; often used with the verbs 'ask for', 'seek', or 'grant'.
PitfallHe asked for the forgiveness.He asked for forgiveness.As an abstract noun, 'forgiveness' usually does not take the definite article 'the' when used in a general sense.
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2 willingness to forgive (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe quality of being a person who is ready and willing to forgive others.
the disposition or character trait of being ready to pardon others' transgressions.
ExampleHis heart was full of forgiveness, so he never stayed angry for long.
ExampleThe spiritual leader emphasized that true forgiveness requires a strength of character that many find difficult to cultivate.
UsageFunctions as an abstract uncountable noun.
- charity
- clemency
- lenience
From Middle English forgiveness, forgifnes, from Old English forġiefnes, equivalent to forgive + -ness. Cognate with Dutch vergiffenis.