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

However, Murray said, the Onion’s deal was selected as the better offer because the Connecticut families agreed to forgo their proceeds to much of money Jones’ owes them in order to pay other creditors. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 11 Dec. 2024

The Sandy Hook families, who are Jones' largest creditors, augmented The Onion's bid by agreeing to forgo some repayment from the Infowars sale so that other creditors could receive more money. —Dietrich Knauth, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

However, the Sandy Hook families supported The Onion’s purchase, agreeing to forgo a portion of their award to bolster the satirical newspaper’s bid. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 11 Dec. 2024

Even as expenditures continue to soar, millions of Americans delay or forgo care due to unaffordable costs. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 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