forgo

or fore·go

[ fawr-goh ]

verb (used with object)

, for·went [fawr-, went], for·gone [fawr-, gawn, -, gon], for·go·ing.

1. to abstain or refrain from; do without.

   Synonyms: forsake, sacrifice, forbear

2. to give up, renounce, or resign.
3. Archaic. to neglect or overlook.
4. Archaic. to quit or leave.
5. Obsolete. to go or pass by.

forgo

/ fɔːˈɡəʊ /

verb

1. to give up or do without
2. archaic.
   to leave

Derived Forms

• forˈgoer, noun

Other Words From

• for·go·er noun
• un·for·gone adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forgo¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English forgon, Old English forgān ; for-, go ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of forgo¹

Old English forgān ; see for- , go ¹

Example Sentences

“The stakes are high. Americans are making serious life decisions — such as whether to leave a job or forgo an opportunity — and their livelihoods are on the line,” the commissioners stated.

From Los Angeles Times

Younger Americans, whose marriage rates are already on the decline, may opt to forgo marriage altogether out of concerns that they someday be stuck in them.

From Salon

Ain’t no mountain high enough to forgo a snack while hiking — and these specialty items make great gourmet stocking stuffers.

From Los Angeles Times

The matter was "urgent" due to increasingly cold weather and the significant impact on people "who are at risk of disconnection, and who are increasingly having to forgo adequate heating and cut other essential spending", the letter read.

From BBC

He said the district, which supplies water for 19 million people, supports the inclusion of proposed negotiated agreements — called Agreements to Support Healthy Rivers and Landscapes — in which water agencies have pledged to forgo certain amounts of water while also funding projects to improve wetland habitats.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abandon
• abdicate
• abstain
• eschew
• forsake
• pass on
• pass up
• quit
• refrain
• relinquish
• renounce
• resist
• swear off
• waive