verb
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to give up or do without
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archaic to leave
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of forgo
First recorded before 950; Middle English forgon, Old English forgān ; see origin at for-, go 1
Explanation
The verb forgo means to give up or lose the right to something. The word forgo can be traced back to the Old English word forgān, which meant to pass away or to die, which is sometimes referred to as "giving up the ghost." Perhaps it was this idea of relinquishing something that led to our modern-day use of the word forgo to mean to give up, waive, or forfeit something. For example, someone charged with a crime might decide to forgo the right to remain silent and instead confess.
Vocabulary lists containing forgo
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Dear Martin
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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.
Forgo your “process”: Lee Trevino needed, on average, about 15 seconds to hit a shot—and that was in majors.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
"Forgo the new kitchen and sundeck," he wrote.
From Salon • Jun. 25, 2021
Forgo the touted mix and make an informed choice by using only one at time—sparingly.
From Slate • Nov. 2, 2018
Forgo dating apps and instead, dance, mingle and meet other Valentine’s Day cynics.
From Washington Post • Feb. 8, 2018
Forgo them at once: they are false utterly.
From The Crest-Wave of Evolution A Course of Lectures in History, Given to the Graduates' Class in the Raja-Yoga College, Point Loma, in the College-Year 1918-19 by Morris, Kenneth
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.
