Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus
1

forego

verb fore·go \ fȯr-ˈgō \

Definition of forego

forewent play \fȯr-ˈwent\; foregone play \fȯr-ˈgȯn also -ˈgän\; foregoing play \fȯr-ˈgō-iŋ, -ˈgȯ(-)iŋ\
transitive verb
: to go before : precede
  • The story of his mishap forewent him.
—

foregoer

play \fȯr-ˈgō-ər\ noun

See forego defined for kids

First Known Use of forego

before 12th century

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year
NEW! Time Traveler

forego Synonyms

Synonyms

antecede, antedate, precede, predate, preexist;

Antonyms

follow, postdate, succeed;

2

forego

verb fore·go

less common spelling of

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

Phrases Related to FOREGO

Related Phrases

FOREGO Defined for Kids

forego

Definition of forego for Students

Learn More about forego

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for forego Spanish Central: Translation of forego Nglish: Translation of forego for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up forego? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

gaffer

play

a lighting electrician on a movie set

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  2. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  3. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

  4. emolument 'the returns arising from office or employment usually in the form of compensation or perquisites'

  5. troll 'to harass, criticize, or antagonize especially by disparaging or mocking public statements'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

forego

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

  • rubens-painting
  • Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games