forgive

[ fer-giv ]

/ fərˈgɪv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR forgive ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

RELATED WORDS

reinstated

Nearby words

forget-me-not, forgetful, forgetive, forgettery, forging, forgive, forgive and forget, forgiveness, forgiving, forgo, forgot

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

for·giv·a·ble, adjectivefor·giv·er, nounhalf-for·giv·en, adjectivepre·for·give, verb (used with object) pre·for·gave, pre·for·giv·en, pre·for·giv·ing.

un·for·giv·a·ble, adjectiveun·for·giv·a·ble·ness, nounun·for·giv·a·bly, adverbun·for·giv·en, adjective

Can be confused

commute 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 forgiven

I hope I can be forgiven for finding this echo more than merely coincidental.
Meet Moses the Swashbuckling Israelite|James Romm|December 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
What on earth, one might have been forgiven for wondering, was she going to be reporting about?
Pippa Middleton's Country Dancing NBC Try Out|Tom Sykes|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
After a stern media backlash, Dunham decided to pay her opening acts and, predictably, all was forgiven.
Will White Feminists Finally Dump Lena Dunham?|Samantha Allen|November 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Pope Paul VI and the Church at that time could be forgiven for puritanical idealism.
The Vatican's Same-Sex Synod: The Bishops Hear About Reality. Do They Listen?|Barbie Latza Nadeau|October 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Janay Rice says she has forgiven her husband and that we should all mind our own business.
Harsh Truths About Domestic Violence: Why Voicing Terrible Experiences Can Help Others|Lizzie Crocker|September 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The priest, to whom she had confessed, could not be forgiven for having doubted whether she were a good Christian.
The Life of Joan of Arc, Vol. 1 and 2 (of 2)|Anatole France
Such an act of folly while the tender babe lay sick is not to be forgiven.
Banked Fires|E. W. (Ethel Winifred) Savi
The grip of the university upon the State may best be shown by statistics—if I may be forgiven the brief use of them.
Abroad at Home|Julian Street
Had she broken down then, she would not have forgiven Royston to her dying day: she never did forgive the chaplain.
Sword and Gown|George A. Lawrence
"I'd never, never, never have forgiven myself," Barbara was crying now.
Keineth|Jane D. Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for forgiven

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

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