forgive
Americanverb (used with object)
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to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.
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to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
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to grant pardon to (a person).
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to cease to feel resentment against.
to forgive one's enemies.
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to cancel an indebtedness or liability of.
to forgive the interest owed on a loan.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to cease to blame or hold resentment against (someone or something)
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to grant pardon for (a mistake, wrongdoing, etc)
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(tr) to free or pardon (someone) from penalty
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(tr) to free from the obligation of (a debt, payment, etc)
Synonym Usage
See excuse.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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preforgiveverb (used with object)
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unforgivableadjective
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forgivablyadverb
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unforgivablyadverb
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unforgivenadjective
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half-forgivenadjective
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forgivernoun
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unforgivablenessnoun
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forgivableadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has forgivenperfect 3rd person singular
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have forgivenperfect
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has been forgivingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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are forgivingprogressive
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am forgivingprogressive 1st person singular
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have been forgivingperfect progressive
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forgivessingular 3rd person
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is forgivingprogressive 3rd person singular
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forgivingparticiple
Past
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had forgivenperfect
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was forgivingprogressive singular
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were forgivingprogressive plural
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had been forgivingperfect progressive
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forgivenparticiple
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forgavesimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of forgive
First recorded before 900; for- + give; replacing Middle English foryiven, Old English forgiefan
Explanation
If you forgive someone, you stop blaming him. You should really forgive your kid sister for eating the rest of the cake. Forgive comes from the Old English forgiefan, which also means "forgive," just with cooler spelling. When you forgive someone or something, that's the end of the story. Eventually, you will have to either forgive your friend for stealing your boyfriend, or stop being her friend. Loans can also be forgiven. If your credit card company forgives your debt, that means you no longer have to pay it.
Vocabulary lists containing forgive
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.
Please forgive this exercise in premise-granting, but this is where the theorized plot against Pratt goes from incoherent to illogical.
From Slate • Jun. 9, 2026
He called the strike "totally disgraceful", adding: "I will never forgive the unions if this jeopardises their futures."
From BBC • Jun. 2, 2026
You could forgive sellers who end up acquiescing and agreeing to the ‘old’ rates, in the hope that they ultimately get a higher price for their home.
From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026
Last year he granted her a symbolic pardon, as the US president has no power to forgive crimes that were prosecuted in state courts.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
I don’t know how to talk to you right now, and I want you to forgive me.
From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles
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.
