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forgive

[ fer-giv ]
/ fərˈgɪv /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR forgive ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), for·gave [fer-geyv], /fərˈgeɪv/, 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 [fer-geyv], /fərˈgeɪv/, for·giv·en, for·giv·ing.

to pardon an offense or an offender.

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Origin of forgive

First recorded before 900; for- + give; replacing Middle English foryiven, Old English forgiefan

synonym study for forgive

1. See excuse.

OTHER WORDS FROM forgive

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH forgive

commute, forgive , pardon

Words nearby forgive

forget-me-not, forget oneself, forgettery, forge welding, forging, forgive, forgive and forget, forgiveness, forgiving, forgo, for God's sake
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to forgive

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

Example sentences from the Web for forgive

British Dictionary definitions for forgive

forgive
/ (fəˈɡɪv) /

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 forms of forgive

forgivable, 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