verb
-
to give up or do without
-
archaic to leave
Other Word Forms
- forgoer noun
- unforgone adjective
Etymology
Origin of forgo
First recorded before 950; Middle English forgon, Old English forgān ; for-, go 1
Explanation
The verb forgo means to give up or lose the right to something. The word forgo can be traced back to the Old English word forgān, which meant to pass away or to die, which is sometimes referred to as "giving up the ghost." Perhaps it was this idea of relinquishing something that led to our modern-day use of the word forgo to mean to give up, waive, or forfeit something. For example, someone charged with a crime might decide to forgo the right to remain silent and instead confess.
Vocabulary lists containing forgo
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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.
States that pause development forgo jobs, tax revenue, and a foothold in the AI economy.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
Campbell and colleagues had some participants in a study use ChatGPT to complete a writing assignment, and had some forgo help from the tool.
From Slate • Apr. 4, 2026
The FDA should forgo the usual human clinical trials in order to bring about this shift, a spokesperson for the alliance said.
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
Planners suggest reviewing auto insurance annually and reassessing whether one vehicle could meet household needs, or if it makes sense to forgo car ownership altogether and use ride-hailing services.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 18, 2026
Not wanting to forgo his paychecks, William said: “Yes, Sir!”
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
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.
