noun
a pardonable sin regarded as entailing only a partial loss of grace
• Ant: ↑mortal sin
* * *
noun, pl ⋯ sins [count]
in the Roman Catholic Church : a sin (such as stealing something small) that is not very serious and will not result in punishment that lasts forever
commit a venial sin
— compare ↑mortal sin
Useful english dictionary. 2012.