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)
Related Words
See excuse.
Other Word Forms
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.
“When we look at each other through the eyes of compassion, we can dialogue, we can love, we can forgive, and we can treat each other as human beings.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
“They may be far less willing to forgive vague spending.”
From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026
"I wouldn't forgive myself looking back if in a championship fight I was off doing other activities. But if you've accomplished all that he's accomplished, good for him."
From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026
"I only hope that one day they hold it in their hearts to forgive me," she added.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026
But Mom had let him bring Thor to the dinner table, so Bat turned his mouth up in a smile and added, “Will you forgive me?”
From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold
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.
