go for

verb

went for; gone for; going for; goes for

transitive

1

: to pass for or serve as

Silvered glass once went for mirrors.

2

: to try to secure or attain (something, such as a goal)

go for the prize

Stop hesitating and just go for it.

3

a

: to accept or agree to

I asked for a loan, but they wouldn't go for it.

b

: to have an interest in or liking for

doesn't go for modern art

She went for him in a big way.

—Chandler Brossard

I could go for [=would like] a cup of coffee.

4

: attack, assail

My dog went for the intruder.

5

: to hold true : be valid

The rules go for you, too.

Examples of go for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When the players went for a walk around the pitch with their medals around their necks, Tuchel insisted that Steele go with them. — Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Of course, the same conclusion goes for Damon, Hathaway, Pattinson, Jon Bernthal and all of the other non-Greek cast. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

The Doubot complete fermentation kit goes for a Kickstarter pledge of US$159 (MSRP $299) if all funding and production goes to plan. — Shirl Leigh july 16, New Atlas, 17 July 2026

Ciara went for a suited vibe with her Giuseppe Di Morabito look. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for go for

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore