- present participle of redeem.
redeeming
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of redeeming
Explanation
A redeeming characteristic is one that counteracts or corrects something negative. If you can only think of one good thing about your next door neighbor, for example, that one thing is her redeeming quality. Your grandpa may be a difficult person who constantly criticizes you and complains about life. If, however, he makes the best chocolate chip cookies you've ever tasted, you can say that cookie baking is his redeeming quality. And if your dog is truly odd-looking, not cute at all except for her long ears, those ears are her one redeeming physical trait — they're the positive thing that balances out all the negatives.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Redeeming the roughly $10 million in first-lien notes due in 2027 at current stock prices means issuing some two million shares, or about 2% of total shares outstanding.
From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026
She is Northern Ireland development manager of Redeeming our Communities, which provides free uniform items in seven centres throughout Belfast and Dundonald during the summer months.
From BBC • Feb. 20, 2025
Redeeming points to capture the most value can take some sleuthing.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 13, 2022
Another Universal release, the faith-based romantic drama "Redeeming Love," secured fourth place with $1.85 million from 1,963 theaters.
From Reuters • Jan. 30, 2022
O Thou who sought our Fathers to enslave And ev'n the Pipe to Walter Raleigh gave, I love you still for your Redeeming Vice And shower Tobacco Leaves upon your Grave!
From The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Jr. by Irwin, Wallace
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
