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Definition of forgo

forgo

/fɔːrˈɡoʊ/
for · go
Past Simple:forwent
•
Past Participle:forgone
•
Present Participle:forgoing
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forgo Lexical Profile

forgo Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To go without or abstain from something desirable, enjoyable, or advantageous; to decide not to have, use, or claim.

Example

"Many employees chose to forgo their annual bonus in exchange for flexible remote working hours."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for forgo
Antonyms
View all antonyms for forgo

Word Nuance & Usage

Do not confuse 'forgo' (to go without or abstain from, past tense 'forwent') with its homophone 'forego' (to precede in time or place, seen chiefly in 'foregoing' and 'foregone conclusion'), though 'forego' is also frequently recorded as a variant spelling of 'forgo'.

• Rhymes for forgo

• Nearby Words

forgiving
forgivingly
forgivingness
forgo
fork
forked
forkful

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English 'forgān', meaning to pass by, overlook, or abstain from, formed from the prefix 'for-' (expressing exclusion, loss, or abstention) and 'gān' (to go).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Forgo. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/forgo
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