forgo

verb

for·​go fȯr-ˈgō 

variants or less commonly forego

forwent fȯr-ˈwent  ; forgone fȯr-ˈgȯn 

 also  -ˈgän

; forgoing fȯr-ˈgō-iŋ 

-ˈgȯ(-)iŋ

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

forgoer

fȯr-ˈgō-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• abjure
• abstain (from)
• forbear
• keep (from)
• refrain (from)
• withhold (from)

Examples of forgo in a Sentence

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

Improves Foot Mechanics and Ankle Range of Motion People who forgo shoes regularly tend to have wider feet, fewer toe and foot abnormalities, and higher arches.22 Their big toes tend to point straighter, creating a lower hallux angle, or angle between the big toe and other toes. —Cory Martin, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2024

That’s the most significant reason why, at 18, the Jacksonville, Florida native and Puma athlete chose to forgo a career in college athletics to pursue professional running from his home base of Ponte Vedra. —Cory Mull, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Brittany Mahomes is forgoing her usual Chiefs red wardrobe in favor of a white, wintry look for the team's latest game. —Hedy Phillips, People.com, 15 Dec. 2024

By refusing to sign the agreement, Trump's team is able to forgo some of the requirements, such as limits on donation sizes. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English forgān to pass by, forgo, from for- + gān to go

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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