forgive

American  

[fer-giv] / fərˈgɪv /

verb (used with object)

forgave, forgiven, forgiving

1. to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.

2. to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).

3. to grant pardon to (a person).

   Synonyms:

   acquit, absolve

4. to cease to feel resentment against.

   to forgive one's enemies.

5. to cancel an indebtedness or liability of.

   to forgive the interest owed on a loan.

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verb (used without object)

forgave, forgiven, forgiving

1. to pardon an offense or an offender.

forgive British  

/ fəˈɡɪv /

verb

1. to cease to blame or hold resentment against (someone or something)

2. to grant pardon for (a mistake, wrongdoing, etc)

3. (tr) to free or pardon (someone) from penalty

4. (tr) to free from the obligation of (a debt, payment, etc)

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Related Words

See excuse.

Other Word Forms

• forgivable adjective
• forgivably adverb
• forgiver noun
• half-forgiven adjective
• preforgive verb (used with object)
• unforgivable adjective
• unforgivableness noun
• unforgivably adverb
• unforgiven adjective

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.

Example Sentences

"They have acted in a way that I think is abhorrent and I really can't forgive them for that because this is my son, again, at the bottom of this," he said.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Though Burton initially felt deep hatred and anger toward the man who killed his wife, by the time he was up for parole, Burton had brought himself to forgive.

From Slate • Mar. 6, 2026

Even if another ex-guerrilla, Gustavo Petro, won the presidency in 2022 by leading a broad left-wing coalition, after decades of bloody armed conflict, many Colombians are not ready to forgive and forget.

From Barron's • Mar. 5, 2026

Early relationships teach us basic social competencies: how to express emotions, cooperate and forgive, and how and when to compete—all skills we use at work.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 1, 2026

I know it’s not reasonable to think you'll forgive me, but I hope you don't let my leaving hurt you too much for too long.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry

Related Words

• absolve
• condone
• excuse
• forget