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definitions

forgave

[fer-geyv]
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SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR forgave ON THESAURUS.COM

verb

simple past tense of forgive.

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RELATED WORDS

excuse, condone, forget, absolve, efface, purge, acquit, amnesty, palliate, spring, clear, overlook, remit, pocket, relent, commute, respite, exempt, release, exculpate

Nearby words

  1. forfex,
  2. forficate,
  3. forfochen,
  4. forgat,
  5. forgather,
  6. forge,
  7. forge welding,
  8. forger,
  9. forgery,
  10. forget

forgive

[fer-giv]

verb (used with object), for·gave, for·giv·en, for·giv·ing.

to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.
to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
to grant pardon to (a person).
to cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one's enemies.
to cancel an indebtedness or liability of: to forgive the interest owed on a loan.

verb (used without object), for·gave, for·giv·en, for·giv·ing.

to pardon an offense or an offender.

Origin of forgive

before 900; for- + give; replacing Middle English foryiven, Old English forgiefan
SYNONYMS FOR forgive
1. See excuse. 3. absolve, acquit.
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR forgive ON THESAURUS.COM
Related forms
Can be confusedcommute forgive pardon (see synonym study at pardon)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for forgave

British Dictionary definitions for forgave

forgave

verb

the past tense of forgive

forgive

verb -gives, -giving, -gave or -given

to cease to blame or hold resentment against (someone or something)
to grant pardon for (a mistake, wrongdoing, etc)
(tr) to free or pardon (someone) from penalty
(tr) to free from the obligation of (a debt, payment, etc)
Derived Formsforgivable, adjectiveforgivably, adverbforgiver, noun

Word Origin for forgive

Old English forgiefan; see for-, give
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for forgave
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper