foregone

American  

[fawr-gawn, -gon, fawr-gawn, -gon] / fɔrˈgɔn, -ˈgɒn, ˈfɔrˌgɔn, -ˌgɒn /

adjective

1. that has gone before; previous; past.

2. determined in advance; inevitable.

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foregone British  

/ ˈfɔːˌɡɒn, fɔːˈɡɒn /

adjective

1. gone or completed; past

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Other Word Forms

• foregoneness noun
• unforegone adjective

Etymology

Origin of foregone

First recorded in 1590–1600; fore- + gone

Example Sentences

Passage has gone from a foregone conclusion early in the year to a long shot, even though lawmakers hope to hold a committee vote in the next month.

From Barron's • Apr. 17, 2026

“I think endemicity is a foregone conclusion and measles will circulate at the level it did in the 1990s,” Adalja said.

From Salon • Apr. 8, 2026

“This started as a foregone conclusion. It didn’t look that way as we went forward. So, for our basketball team, the fact we didn’t give up makes it special. We fought.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 23, 2026

California currently has the highest average gasoline price at $5.14, but the $6 price level as an average for the state is not a foregone conclusion just yet, De Haan said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 9, 2026

Jasper had foregone the last few meals, screwing his mouth shut and crossing his arms.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead