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

• abjure
• abstain (from)
• forbear
• keep (from)
• refrain (from)
• withhold (from)

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

With today’s busy schedule, many people forgo the things that maintain good gut health. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 25 Apr. 2024

Our research found that many hospitals forgo the cost and complexity of procuring, storing, and disbursing donor milk to infants in intensive care units, leaving large populations without access to this treatment. —Sionika Thayagabalu and Dominick Lemas, STAT, 18 Apr. 2024

Your girlfriend should not pressure you to forgo something that is so important to you. —Amy Dickinson, Detroit Free Press, 16 Apr. 2024

If a filer forgoes an extension and files late, the person risks additional fees for the tardy submission. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 12 Apr. 2024

However, as part of the deal, Hayes must forgo the use of party funds. —Emily Alvarenga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Apr. 2024

Adams and Jay wanted to forgo the French treaty’s obligations, as well as the directive from Congress, and negotiate directly with Britain. —Vanessa Armstrong, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024

Dorsey pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, forgoing trial, but a jury was seated for sentencing in 2008. —Dennis Romero, NBC News, 9 Apr. 2024

Households burdened by high student debt often delay or forgo homeownership and face difficulties in starting a family or building up savings. —Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2024

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

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