forgo

verb

for·​go fȯr-ˈgō 

variants or less commonly forego

forwent fȯr-ˈwent  ; forgone fȯr-ˈgȯn 

 also  -ˈgän

; forgoing fȯr-ˈgō-iŋ 

-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ

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

forgoer

fȯr-ˈgō-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• abjure
• abstain (from)
• forbear
• keep (from)
• refrain (from)
• withhold (from)

Examples of forgo in a Sentence

She is planning to forgo her right to a trial and simply plead guilty.

I'll forgo dessert tonight—I'm trying to lose weight.

Recent Examples on the Web

He is survived by two daughters and a son, who has recently attracted significant media attention for becoming a Buddhist monk, and forgoing a massive fortune. —Patrick Frater, Variety, 28 Nov. 2024

Designer Emma Ainscough crafts a family-friendly home without forgoing formality By Katherine Burns OlsonPhotography by Kensington LeverneStyled by Anna Sheridan November 27, 2024 All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. —Katherine Burns Olson, Architectural Digest, 27 Nov. 2024

Since then, most county clerks have reached agreements to forgo the county line system in favor of the office block ballot, while the state Legislature considers reforms on the ballot design. —Jared Gans, The Hill, 26 Nov. 2024

The satirical publication The Onion submitted a $1.75 million bid in cash for Infowars, along with a pledge from Sandy Hook families to forgo some of their proceeds to benefit other creditors. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English forgān to pass by, forgo, from for- + gān to go

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

forgo

verb

for·​go

variants also forego

fȯr-ˈgō,

fōr-

forwent

-ˈwent

; forgone -ˈgȯn 

 also  -ˈgän

; forgoing -ˈgō-iŋ 

: to let pass

forgo an opportunity

: go without

forgo lunch