# forgiving

/fɝˈɡɪvɪŋ/ (US) · /fəɡˈɪvɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/forgiving
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. inclined to pardon

adjective · CEFR B2

ready and willing to stop being angry with someone who has done something wrong.

For teachers: disposed to grant pardon or cease resentment toward an offender.

- She was very forgiving when I accidentally broke her favorite vase.
- A forgiving nature is essential for maintaining long-term professional partnerships where minor misunderstandings are inevitable.

### 2. tolerant of errors

adjective · CEFR B2 · Technical

easy to use because it does not cause big problems if you make a mistake.

For teachers: designed to accommodate or mitigate the effects of user error or physical imperfection.

- This new software is very forgiving for beginners who are still learning the basics.
- The interface is remarkably forgiving, allowing users to undo complex actions without risking permanent data loss or system instability.

## Examples

- The new software is very forgiving if you type the wrong command.
- A forgiving user interface allows beginners to experiment without the fear of accidentally deleting their entire project.
- While the previous version was notoriously rigid, the updated operating system is far more forgiving, offering multiple prompts to undo actions that might otherwise lead to data loss.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.