forgo
Americanverb (used with object)
-
forgoes,
present (3rd person singular)
-
forwent,
past
-
forgone,
past participle
-
forgoing
present participle
verb
-
to give up or do without
-
archaic to leave
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
forgosimple
-
forgoessimple
-
have forgoneperfect
-
has forgoneperfect
-
am forgoingprogressive
-
are forgoingprogressive
-
is forgoingprogressive
-
have been forgoingperfect progressive
-
has been forgoingperfect progressive
Past
-
forwentsimple
-
had forgoneperfect
-
was forgoingprogressive
-
were forgoingprogressive
-
had been forgoingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of forgo
First recorded before 950; Middle English forgon, Old English forgān ; see origin at 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.
See Examples For:
"Rather than allow a ceremonial photo opportunity to become a diplomatic distraction, the US decided to forgo the photo and keep the focus on the substantive discussions," the official said.
From BBC ● Oct. 30, 2026
“Initially, national oil companies paid for storage space in consuming countries, but consuming country governments increasingly forgo these fees in exchange for energy security,” said Kpler’s crude analyst Yui Torikata.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2026
Fielder, the film’s ringmaster, has no choice but to forgo conventional documentary tactics and seek detours.
From Salon ● Oct. 28, 2026
"Therefore, after consultation with the Board of Broadcasters, the NPO has decided to forgo participation in 2027," added Bosman.
From Barron's ● Oct. 27, 2026
In some families the oldest child would forgo college in order to work so that a younger child could continue his or her education.
From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson
Typically wearing a traditional Caribbean shirt, Cepeda forgoes a tie, which he considers a symbol of oligarchy.
From Barron's ● May 25, 2026
The Polestar 4 forgoes a conventional rearview mirror—or a rear window, period—and instead uses a video display and a rear-facing camera.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 25, 2026
In Guillermo Cienfuegos’ enlivening, if at times unsteady, production at A Noise Within, the role is played by Ann Noble, who forgoes the outdated hunchback but adopts a seething, slithering, perversely seductive aura of menace.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2026
"Jedha, Kyber, Erso," the last ever episode of “Andor,” forgoes conventional finality to bridge the series with the movie that inspired it, 2016’s “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.”
From Salon ● May 17, 2025
She forgoes all of the usual motel thrills, like unwrapping the soaps and hunting for the Bible.
From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti
Cleveland forwent college, hitting the road soon after his high school graduation in 1999, and emerged as an exciting sideman, passionate about bluegrass’s history and quick-witted, too — “a good hang,” as Gill put it.
From New York Times ● Feb. 28, 2023
Petrobras said the war significantly affected its export markets, as Asian buyers received Russian crude that European and North American buyers forwent.
From Reuters ● Jul. 28, 2022
Chau avoided romantic entanglement, believing it irresponsible given the risks of his mission to North Sentinel, and forwent full-time employment in order to focus on preparing.
From The Guardian ● Feb. 3, 2019
Family Vacation’s first season revolved around the impending fatherhood of Ronnie—whose ex-girlfriend Sammi “Sweetheart” forwent the reboot all together: She was in a “better place.”
From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2018
I forwent Supper and walked by the shore of the Charles until I could see Boston.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
The corporate move could cost Washington state up to $750 million in forgone tax revenue.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 27, 2026
The forgone wages and benefits of these retirees add up to an estimated $201 billion annually and the loss of payroll contributions represents a $356 million hit to federal tax revenue, Implan estimates.
From Barron's ● Apr. 29, 2026
The prosecution added that it was not a forgone conclusion the defendants would be deported following these convictions.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026
For starters, “it would be considered well within the standard of care” for Biden to have forgone testing in recent years, given his age, Sandler said.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 20, 2025
It was later, after another dinner of plain white rice had been consumed and tea forgone again on account of the drought, after Rasheed had smoked a cigarette, that he told Laila about his decision.
From "A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini
Perhaps the biggest risk of all is forgoing bonds and keeping cash earning next to nothing in a checking account or some legacy and sweep bank accounts, said Roth.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
Frustrated homeowners are responding in two major ways: forgoing insurance, or opting for higher deductibles.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 9, 2026
Are they buying fewer types of green ingredients in particular or just forgoing certain places and brands altogether?
From Slate ● Jul. 17, 2026
It would have also meant the government forgoing a contractual right to sue Damen Navel for damages, the ministry added.
From Barron's ● Jun. 24, 2026
I found Hamlet's conclusion unjust, and forgoing my modest manner, I spoke boldly.
From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein
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