venial sin
2
8.9
- noun
- /ˈviːniəl sɪn/
- Specialized
:
pecado venial
- The priest explained that telling a small lie is generally considered a venial sin in the eyes of the Church.
- commit venial sin
- deliberate venial sin
Examples
-
Venial sins do not have to be named, but you might as well since you're there.
Blog text (25) -
In Sister Mary Benedict's catechism class, we mainly discussed sin: sins of omission and commission, venial sins and mortal sins.
Fiction book (1993) -
Is this even a venial sin?
Blog text (12) -
At the very least, you two are "playing with fire" and probably engaging in venial sin.
Blog text (21) -
There are different types of sin: mortal sin and venial sin.
Blog text (2) -
I think it's just a three-hail-Mary level venial sin.
Blog text (7) -
God won't be pleased with my lying, but it's only a venial sin.
Academic text (2008) -
Recitations of accomplishments are balanced with public confessions of venial sins.
Academic text (1995) -
In Catholic teaching, a venial sin can be forgiven through prayer or confession.
-
Many people are unaware that gossiping can be classified as a venial sin if it doesn't cause serious harm.
Antonyms
- Specialized
13
8.2
Very serious wrongdoing in Christian belief that stops God from forgiving you unless you say you are sorry
How Serious
Surface Forms
Morphology
The adjective 'venial' means minor or excusable and 'sin' means wrongdoing, so their combination straightforwardly yields 'a minor or forgivable wrongdoing.' While there is theological nuance (contrast with a 'mortal sin'), the core meaning is compositionally transparent and can be inferred by a B1 learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
The phrase venial sin comes from a Latin word meaning 'forgivable'; venial means easy to forgive and sin means a wrong. Church people used it for small wrongs that do not break your relationship with God, like a light stain that can be cleaned rather than a deep wound. So, venial sin means a small, forgivable wrongdoing, not a 'mortal' or very 'serious' one.