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
- 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
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.
Given his views on the cost of capital, one could be forgiven for expecting a trader with Clark’s profile to be bearish on AI plays but that isn’t the case.
From MarketWatch
When Banks purrs, “You have no idea what we have planned for Cycle 25,” you’ll have to forgive me for taking that as a threat, not a tease.
From Salon
“I usually make way more than I need, so then I’ll turn it into a soup afterwards. They’re pretty forgiving in a soup.”
From Salon
While the free skate is more forgiving, the short program has seven specific requirements, including three for jumps.
From Los Angeles Times
"I can never forgive them for that and I don't think relatives and patients should be treated in that way," he said.
From BBC
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.
