Word
forgiveness
Phoneticsfor·give·ness, stress on the second syllable
US/fɝˈɡɪvnəs/
UK/fəɡˈɪvnəs/
Definitions
01the act of pardoning
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the act of deciding not to be angry with someone anymore for something they did wrong.
n. the intentional process of letting go of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you.
“She asked for his forgiveness after she realized how much her words had hurt him.”
“The victim's family eventually granted the defendant forgiveness, a gesture that profoundly moved everyone present in the courtroom.”
Usage
Usually uncountable; often used with the verbs 'ask for', 'seek', or 'grant'.
Pitfall
He 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.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02willingness to forgive
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the quality of being a person who is ready and willing to forgive others.
n. the disposition or character trait of being ready to pardon others' transgressions.
“His heart was full of forgiveness, so he never stayed angry for long.”
“The spiritual leader emphasized that true forgiveness requires a strength of character that many find difficult to cultivate.”
Usage
Functions as an abstract uncountable noun.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“The teenager put out a video apologising for her language and seeking forgiveness.” “At a pre-sentencing hearing last year, Wilkinson said he had forgiven Erin Patterson for trying to murder him but could not offer her forgiveness for killing three other people with poisoned beef wellingtons.” Etymology
From Middle English forgiveness, forgifnes, from Old English forġiefnes, equivalent to forgive + -ness. Cognate with Dutch vergiffenis.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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