forgo

verb

for·​go fȯr-ˈgō How to pronounce forgo (audio)
variants or less commonly
forwent fȯr-ˈwent How to pronounce forgo (audio) ; forgone fȯr-ˈgȯn How to pronounce forgo (audio)
 also  -ˈgän
; forgoing fȯr-ˈgō-iŋ How to pronounce forgo (audio)
-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ

transitive verb

1
: to give up the enjoyment or advantage of : do without
never forwent an opportunity of honest profitR. L. Stevenson
decided to forgo dessert for a few days
2
archaic : forsake
forgoer noun

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 Officials feared company promotions could mislead parents and even persuade mothers to forgo breastfeeding, depriving their children of the vital health benefits that come with it. Heather Vogell, ProPublica, 21 Mar. 2024 That meant forgoing technology that could speed production and extend the shelf life of their products even as bigger competitors from the East and West coasts arrived on the scene. Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024 According to the study, pygmy right whales likely forgo long-distance migrations and instead live in the warm waters around Australia year-round. Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 20 Mar. 2024 The group had put up similar messages encouraging Clark to forgo eligibility for a fifth year of college play when the Fever were selected to choose first in the April 15 draft. The Indianapolis Star, 20 Mar. 2024 Filing for bankruptcy would mean forgoing more control over his business and may force him to make undesirable sales or other transactions down the road. Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 Your 20s and 30s are for learning skills Using Obama’s mantra for career success, Raman advises those in their twenties and early thirties to forgo titles completely to focus on skills development, before specializing in their mid-thirties. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 Now a one-sport athlete, after deciding to forgo his spot in the infield of Missouri’s baseball team, the job as Missouri’s go-to tight end appears to be in Norfleet’s hands. Calum McAndrew, Kansas City Star, 2 Mar. 2024 Players can also choose to forgo the match bonus and, in return, seize a generous 100% cashback promotion. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'forgo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of forgo was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near forgo

Cite this Entry

“Forgo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forgo. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

forgo

verb
for·​go
variants also forego
fȯr-ˈgō,
fōr-
forwent
-ˈwent
; forgone -ˈgȯn How to pronounce forgo (audio)
 also  -ˈgän
; forgoing -ˈgō-iŋ How to pronounce forgo (audio)
: to let pass
forgo an opportunity
: go without
forgo lunch

More from Merriam-Webster on forgo

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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