What does condonable mean?
"Condonable" is a formal English adjective describing something — typically an offence, error, or breach of conduct — that can be condoned, meaning forgiven or deliberately overlooked. To condone a wrong is to accept it without protest rather than to actively approve it, so calling an act condonable implies it falls below the threshold warranting punishment or censure. The word derives from Latin roots meaning "to give" or "to pardon," sharing ancestry with words such as "donate" and "pardon." It appears most often in legal, ethical, and institutional contexts, where judgements about whether behaviour should be excused must be made explicitly. Though precise, it is far rarer than its everyday synonym "forgivable," lending writing that uses it a measured, official tone. Its near-opposite is "condemnable": what can be pardoned versus what deserves condemnation.
adjectiveCapable of being condoned; (of an offence or wrongdoing) forgivable or excusable.
- (Of an act, especially an offence or lapse) able to be forgiven or overlooked without censure.
"The committee judged the minor procedural error condonable given the circumstances."
"Her brief lapse in judgement was deemed condonable by the ethics board."
"In diplomatic circles, certain breaches of protocol are quietly treated as condonable."
Despite its tidy legal-sounding ring, "condonable" is surprisingly rare — most writers reach for "forgivable" instead, making this adjective a subtle marker of formal register.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of condonable
"Condonable" derives from the verb "condone," which comes from Latin "condonare," meaning "to give up" or "to pardon," formed from "con-" (together, wholly) and "donare" (to give), itself rooted in "donum," gift. The verb entered English in the early 19th century, and "condonable" followed as its adjectival form. It shares its root with "donate," "donor," and, through related Romance development, "pardon."
Related word forms
How condonable is actually used
Formal in register and relatively uncommon; it appears chiefly in legal, ethical, or institutional discussion. It carries a slightly detached tone, implying that the wrongdoing exists but need not be punished.
Easily confused with condonable
"Condonable" describes something that can be forgiven, while "condemnable" describes something that deserves strong censure — nearly opposite meanings despite their similar spellings.