forego

1 of 2

verb (1)

fore·​go fȯr-ˈgō 

forewent fȯr-ˈwent  ; foregone fȯr-ˈgȯn 

 also  -ˈgän

; foregoing fȯr-ˈgō-iŋ 

-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ

transitive verb

: to go before : precede

The story of his mishap forewent him.

foregoer

fȯr-ˈgō-ər 

noun

forego

2 of 2

verb (2)

fore·​go

less common spelling of forgo

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

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• antecede
• antedate
• precede
• predate
• preexist

Examples of forego in a Sentence

Verb (1)

if the sparse crowds are any indication of the public's interest in the presidential candidate, then his reputation obviously foregoes him

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Looking to join the emerging group of wealthy individuals who are foregoing the hassle of home ownership in favor of leasing? —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 25 Sep. 2024

Enter Powers as David, leader of the rebellious community known as The Smoke, who forego the surgery and choose to live outside the city by simpler means. —Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 8 Aug. 2024

That'll set you back, but hopefully not enough to forego them entirely. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 26 June 2024

As an illustration, investors who sold out of the market in September 2010 would have foregone a 9% return that month — the best monthly performer that year, according to Morningstar. —Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 13 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Verb (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

forego

1 of 2 verb

fore·​go fōr-ˈgō 

fȯr-

forewent

-ˈwent

; foregone -ˈgȯn 

 also  -ˈgän

; foregoing -ˈgō-iŋ 

: to go before : precede

foregoer

-ˈgō(-ə)r 

noun

forego

2 of 2

variant of forgo