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

• avoid

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

The seven-member commission — four Democrats and three Republicans — chose to forgo a robust national search, relying instead on an ad in local government publications and word of mouth to attract applicants. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2025

In addition, university administrators, including college deans, will forgo salary increases. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025

With regards to mayo, forgo Hellmann’s and reach instead for a jar of Duke’s, a Southern staple and cult favorite that’s a little tangier than its competitor because it’s made with apple cider vinegar instead of white vinegar. —Gretchen McKay, Boston Herald, 18 June 2025

Attacking the concepts with an edge of Black Mirror, youthful characters forgo the stress of a body altogether and upload themselves to a neural computer network, seek oblivion from sentient boulders. —Michelle Tea june 18, Literary Hub, 18 June 2025

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

Rhymes for forgo

• acknow
• aglow
• ago
• airglow
• aloe
• altho
• although
• ammo
• backflow
• backhoe
• banjo
• barbeau

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