forego

1 of 2

verb (1)

fore·​go fȯr-ˈgō 

forewent fȯr-ˈwent  ; foregone fȯr-ˈgȯn 

 also  -ˈgän

; foregoing fȯr-ˈgō-iŋ 

-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ

transitive verb

: to go before : precede

The story of his mishap forewent him.

foregoer

fȯr-ˈgō-ər 

noun

forego

2 of 2

verb (2)

fore·​go

less common spelling of forgo

transitive verb

1

: to give up the enjoyment or advantage of : do without

never forwent an opportunity of honest profit

—R. L. Stevenson

decided to forgo dessert for a few days

2

archaic : forsake

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• antecede
• antedate
• precede
• predate
• preexist

Examples of forego in a Sentence

Verb (1)

if the sparse crowds are any indication of the public's interest in the presidential candidate, then his reputation obviously foregoes him

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Teams are foregoing spring games in part to not give information to opponents about personnel or schemes. —Jenna West, The Athletic, 22 Mar. 2025

Among the options – potentially foregoing a honeymoon or reducing the scope of their wedding – with the hopes of not having to postpone the nuptials out right. —Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 19 Feb. 2025

Taberna García de la Navarra Pedro and Luis García de la Navarra decided to join forces in 2011 to open this cozy restaurant, featuring exquisite seasonal cuisine made with quality raw materials purchased directly from producers, foregoing the need for intermediaries. —Claudia Alarcón, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

The Sky hold the No. 3 and No. 10 picks in the first round of this year’s draft, which will be headlined by Connecticut’s Paige Bueckers and Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles — if both stars choose to forego their final year of NCAA eligibility. —Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for forego

• afterglow
• akimbo
• albino
• aliquot
• allegro
• amigo
• apropos
• audio
• bungalow
• calico
• calypso
• cameo

Kids Definition

forego

1 of 2 verb

fore·​go fōr-ˈgō 

fȯr-

forewent

-ˈwent

; foregone -ˈgȯn 

 also  -ˈgän

; foregoing -ˈgō-iŋ 

: to go before : precede

foregoer

-ˈgō(-ə)r 

noun

forego

2 of 2

variant of forgo