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

; forgoes

fȯr-ˈgōz

transitive verb

1

: to give up the enjoyment or advantage of : do without

… never forwent an opportunity of honest profit …

—Robert Louis Stevenson

decided to forgo dessert for a few days …

2

archaic : forsake

forgoer

fȯr-ˈgō-ər 

noun

Synonyms of forgo

• 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

Retailers have felt this acutely, especially those selling discretionary items such as costume jewelry, crafts and furniture, which consumers often forgo to afford groceries, utilities and rent. —Aaron Gregg, Arkansas Online, 29 Dec. 2025

Though there is an inherent sadness in its premise, Wit is indeed worthy of its title, a witty, clear-eyed look at life and death that forgoes easy sentiment. —Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Dec. 2025

While some players will still opt out and forgo this money, the clause in their contract can be seen as an attempt to incentive players to remain with the program for the final game of the season. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 25 Dec. 2025

Until 2021, college athletes generally had to forgo the chance to profit from their NIL as a condition of NCAA eligibility. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 Dec. 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