What does venial mean?
Venial is a formal adjective meaning forgivable or pardonable, especially when describing an offense, fault, or sin. It commonly appears in expressions such as “a venial sin” and “a venial offense,” where it identifies wrongdoing that is serious enough to acknowledge but not grave enough to be treated as unforgivable. The word has a literary and moral tone and is much less frequent in ordinary conversation than synonyms such as excusable or forgivable. Venial should not be confused with venal, which describes a person or practice that is open to bribery or corruption. Its usefulness lies in its precision: it distinguishes a pardonable lapse from either trivial conduct or a major transgression. The word also reflects a longstanding religious distinction between lesser offenses and grave sins.
adjectiveForgivable or pardonable, especially when referring to an offense, fault, or sin. The word is chiefly formal and literary.
- Forgivable or pardonable, especially of an offense, fault, or sin.
"The distinction between a venial error and a serious breach of duty was clear from the outset."
"The judge considered the clerk's mistake a venial fault rather than an act of deliberate misconduct."
"Even in the strictest religious tradition, the distinction between a venial sin and a grave offense is carefully maintained."
Venial comes from Latin venia, meaning pardon: it is a precise word for a fault that can be forgiven without being treated as trivial.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does venial come from?
Venial entered English in the early 17th century from the Latin adjective venialis, meaning pardonable or excusable. This derives from venia, a Latin word meaning pardon, goodwill, or favor. The development preserves the original moral and religious sense of an offense for which forgiveness is possible.
Related word forms
How venial is actually used
Formal and literary. It is more common in religious, legal, and moral contexts than in everyday conversation, where a simpler word such as forgivable or excusable is usually preferred.
Easily confused with venial
Venial means pardonable or forgivable, whereas venal means susceptible to bribery or corruption.