venial
/'vi:njəl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Easily excused or forgiven; not seriously wrong: Describes a fault, sin, or error that is minor, pardonable, and does not constitute a grave offense.
- Warranting only temporal punishment: In religious, particularly Catholic, doctrine, this describes a sin that is less serious than a mortal sin and does not result in eternal damnation.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Arriving a few minutes late was considered a venial oversight.
- In his confession, he mentioned only venial sins from the past week.
- The judge dismissed the charge as a venial infraction of the rules.
Advanced Usage
- Theological Context: The term is most precisely used in contrast to "mortal sin."
- According to Catholic teaching, a venial sin weakens but does not destroy one's relationship with God.
- Figurative Use: Can be applied to minor flaws or shortcomings in non-religious contexts.
- His forgetfulness is a venial flaw in an otherwise excellent character.
Variants and Related Words
- Venially (adverb): In a venial manner; pardonably.
- He had sinned only venially.
- Veniality (noun): The quality or state of being venial.
- The veniality of the mistake meant no formal disciplinary action was taken.
Synonyms
- Pardonable: Capable of being forgiven.
- Excusable: Justifiable; able to be forgiven.
- Minor: Of little importance or seriousness.
- Forgivable: Able to be forgiven.
Antonyms
- Mortal (in theological context): Constituting a grave sin leading to spiritual death.
- Unforgivable: So bad it cannot be forgiven.
- Inexcusable: Impossible to justify or forgive.
- Grave: Very serious or important.
Related Phrases & Idioms
- Venial sin: A specific theological term for a lesser sin that does not deprive the soul of sanctifying grace.
- The catechism distinguishes between mortal and venial sin.
Adjective
- easily excused or forgiven
- a venial error
- warranting only temporal punishment
- venial sin