forgive

[fer-giv]

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.

Origin of forgive

before 900; for- + give; replacing Middle English foryiven, Old English forgiefan

Related formsfor·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 confusedcommute forgive pardon (see synonym study at pardon)

Synonyms for forgive

1. See excuse. 3. absolve, acquit.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for unforgiven

Contemporary Examples of unforgiven

Moviegoers who are looking for another Million Dollar Baby or Unforgiven are going to be disappointed, frankly.
Gran Torino is 100-Proof Clint
Michael Korda
January 4, 2009

Historical Examples of unforgiven

She had looked at him, dumbly, and he had rushed away, leaving her unforgiven.
Glory of Youth
Temple Bailey
And if unforgiven, could the cry of a rabble at such a scene bind a nation?
Lord George Bentinck
Benjamin Disraeli
The unforgiven child is still a child, but will be chastened.
God's Plan with Men
T. T. (Thomas Theodore) Martin
Love to God can never be the growth of unrenewed and unforgiven hearts.
Sermons
Clement Bailhache
I cannot go bloodstained and unforgiven into the presence of the Eternal.
Lyman's History of old Walla Walla County, Vol. 1 (of 2)
William Denison Lyman

British Dictionary definitions for unforgiven

forgive

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 Formsforgivable, 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

Word Origin and History for unforgiven

adj.

early 15c., from un- (1) "not" + past participle of forgive.

forgive

Old English forgiefan "give, grant, allow; forgive," also "to give up" and "to give in marriage;" from for- "completely" + giefan "give" (see give).

The modern sense of "to give up desire or power to punish" is from use of the compound as a Germanic loan-translation of Latin perdonare (cf. Old Saxon fargeban, Dutch vergeven, German vergeben, Gothic fragiban; see pardon). Related: Forgave; forgiven; forgiving.