veniality (ˌviːnɪˈælɪtɪ) or venialness (ˈviːnɪəlnəs)
noun
venially (ˈvenially)
adverb
Word origin
C13: via Old French from Late Latin veniālis, from Latin venia forgiveness; related to Latin venus love
venial in American English
(ˈvinjəl; ˈviniəl)
adjective
1.
that may be forgiven; pardonable
2.
that may be excused or overlooked; excusable
said as of an error or fault
3. Theology
not causing spiritual death
said of sin either not serious in itself or, if serious, not adequately recognizedas such or not committed with full consent of one's will see also mortal
Derived forms
veniality (ˌveniˈality) (ˌviniˈæləti)
noun
venially (ˈvenially)
adverb
Word origin
OFr < LL(Ec) venialis, pardonable, orig., gracious < L venia, a grace, favor, akin to venus, love: see Venus
Examples of 'venial' in a sentence
venial
Father Gerard explained there were other sins than the venial kind.
Salley Vickers INSTANCES OF THE NUMBER 3 (2002)
Synonyms of 'venial'
forgivable, minor, slight, trivial
More Synonyms of venial
(adjective)
Definition
easily excused or forgiven
If he had faults, they were venial ones.
Synonyms
forgivable
His sense of humour makes all else forgivable.
minor
She is known for a number of minor roles in films.
slight
It's only made a slight difference.
trivial
I don't like to visit the doctor just for something trivial.
insignificant
In 1949 it was still a small, insignificant city.
allowable
excusable
He had made a simple but excusable mistake.
pardonable
He spoke with pardonable pride.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of excusable
He had made a simple but excusable mistake.
Synonyms
forgivable,
understandable,
justifiable,
permissible,
minor,
slight,
allowable,
defensible,
venial,
pardonable,
warrantable
in the sense of insignificant
Definition
having little or no importance
In 1949 it was still a small, insignificant city.
Synonyms
unimportant,
minor,
irrelevant,
petty,
trivial,
meaningless,
trifling,
meagre,
negligible,
flimsy,
paltry,
immaterial,
inconsequential,
nondescript,
measly (informal),
scanty,
inconsiderable,
of no consequence,
nonessential,
small potatoes,
nickel-and-dime (US, slang),
of no account,
nugatory,
unsubstantial,
not worth mentioning,
of no moment,
wanky (taboo, slang)
in the sense of minor
Definition
not very serious or significant
She is known for a number of minor roles in films.
Synonyms
small,
lesser,
subordinate,
smaller,
light,
slight,
secondary,
petty,
inferior,
trivial,
trifling,
insignificant,
negligible,
unimportant,
paltry,
inconsequential,
inconsiderable,
nickel-and-dime (US, slang)
Nearby words of
venial
veneration
vengeance
vengeful
venial
venom
venomous
vent
Synonyms of 'venial'
venial
Explore 'venial' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of pardonable
He spoke with pardonable pride.
Synonyms
forgivable,
understandable,
permissible,
not serious,
allowable,
excusable,
venial,
condonable
in the sense of slight
Definition
not very important or lacking in substance
It's only made a slight difference.
Synonyms
small,
minor,
insignificant,
negligible,
weak,
modest,
trivial,
superficial,
feeble,
trifling,
meagre,
unimportant,
paltry,
measly (informal),
insubstantial,
scanty,
inconsiderable
in the sense of trivial
Definition
of little importance
I don't like to visit the doctor just for something trivial.