forgo

Or fore·go

[fawr-goh]

verb (used with object)

forwent, forgone, forgoing. 

1. to abstain or refrain from; do without.

   Synonyms: forsake, sacrifice, forbear

2. to give up, renounce, or resign.

3. Archaic.,  to neglect or overlook.

4. Archaic.,  to quit or leave.

5. Obsolete.,  to go or pass by.

forgo

/ fɔːˈɡəʊ /

verb

1. to give up or do without

2. archaic,  to leave

Other Word Forms

• forgoer noun
• unforgone adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forgo¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English forgon, Old English forgān ; for-, go ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of forgo¹

Old English forgān ; see _for- , _go ¹

Example Sentences

“Institutions of higher education are free to develop models and values other than those” in the memo, if the institution elects to forgo federal benefits, the document says.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

I felt sheepish when my partner caught me sneaking a cookie shortly after I had encouraged him to forgo dessert so we could “be healthy together.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

While voluntary, the agreement threatens strongman-style, that institutions of higher education are “free to develop models and values other than those below, if the institution elects to forgo federal benefits.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

That’s a step climbers sometimes forgo in the name of efficiency, because the knot, itself, can get snagged in a tree or jammed in a crack, leading to more work and slowing them down.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

With modern coaches placing increased emphasis on set-pieces and 'going long', forgoing a possession-based game in favour of a more direct brand of football, it is beginning to feel like we have been here before.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• abandon 
• abdicate 
• abstain 
• eschew 
• forsake 
• pass on 
• pass up 
• quit 
• refrain 
• relinquish 
• renounce 
• resist 
• swear off 
• waive