forgo

1 of 2

verb

for·​go fȯr-ˈgō 

variants or less commonly forego

forwent fȯr-ˈwent  ; forgone fȯr-ˈgȯn 

also -ˈgän

also foregone; forgoing fȯr-ˈgō-iŋ 

-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ

also foregoing; forgoes

fȯr-ˈgōz

also foregoes

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

forgoer

2 of 2

noun

for·​go·​er -ˈgōə(r) 

plural -s

: one that forgoes

Synonyms of forgo

Verb

• avoid

Examples of forgo in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

Her friend group has forgone leisure activities like bowling, opting instead for less-costly nights spent in someone's home. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2026

For a seamless reservation and help selecting the best room, forgo email and call the hotel directly. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026

Take Sophie Rowell, founder of Côte de Folk, who, in one project, recently enveloped walls and floors in a deep olive green, adding a sense of tactility by forgoing hard flooring and rugs in favor of wall-to-wall carpet. — Hannah Coates, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2026

Eleazar forgoes Thom Yorke-style belting, draws out the mournful quaver in the lyrics, and subtly reshapes the anthem in Misty’s image, her commitment to doing things her way. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English forgān to pass by, forgo, from for- + gān to go

First Known Use

Verb

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