verb

forgo

faw-GOH

Forgo (verb) means to choose to go without something, even though you could have it. Example: “They decided to forgo dessert and head straight home.”

verb

To choose to go without something, even though you could have it.

"They decided to forgo dessert and head straight home."

"He forwent his usual coffee to save money."

How to use forgo

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo deliberately do without something.

Common mistake

Often confused with "forego," which technically means "to go before" but is now widely accepted as an alternate spelling of "forgo."

Easily confused with

forego →

Word forms

forwent past tense, forgoed past tense, forgone past tense, forgoes singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They decided to _____ dessert and head straight home.

Etymology

From Old English forgān ("to go away, forgo") — for- + go.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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forfeit waive relinquish forego precede predate give up antecede antedate foreswear dispense with throw overboard

Related words

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Frequently asked questions

What does “forgo” mean?

The word “forgo” means to choose to go without something, even though you could have it. In plain terms, to deliberately do without something.

How do you pronounce “forgo”?

“Forgo” is pronounced faw-GOH (/fɔɹˈɡoʊ/ in IPA).

How do you use “forgo” in a sentence?

Here is “forgo” used in a sentence: “They decided to forgo dessert and head straight home.”

What part of speech is “forgo”?

“Forgo” is a verb.

Where does the word “forgo” come from?

The word “forgo” comes from Old English. From Old English forgān ("to go away, forgo") — for- + go.

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