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

Advertisement Currently, federal law allows states to forgo Daylight Saving Time and stay in Standard Time throughout the year; Hawaii and most of Arizona have chosen to do so. — Chantelle Lee, Time, 7 Oct. 2026

For the pivotal evening, Lowen forgoes her woodsy natural look and returns to her big-city smoky eyes and a sultry dark lip (a mix of Dior Addict Lip Glow Balms in Mahogany and Blackberry). — Fawnia Soo Hoo, Allure, 5 Oct. 2026

As Central America faces the possibility of severe drought, food insecurity, and high costs for fuel and fertilizer, regional governments will likely have to suspend fuel taxes (and forgo substantial revenues) to head off protests. — Dan Restrepo, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

As with the arena fee waivers, some of the amount includes fees the city would forgo, Kniestedt said, while some would involve transferring money from its general fund to other city accounts. — Camryn Dadey, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 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