Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
venial sin
noun
/ˈviːniəl sɪn/
Definition
A sin that is minor or not regarded as fundamentally damaging to one’s relationship with the divine.
Examples
- Despite feeling guilty, he reassured himself that forgetting to pray that morning was just a venial sin.
- In the eyes of the church, telling a little lie to avoid hurting someone’s feelings was seen as a venial sin.
Meaning
In a religious context, a venial sin is considered less serious than a mortal sin, allowing for the possibility of forgiveness without the need for confession.
Synonyms
- minor offense
- petty sin
- trivial sin
