forgive

[ fer-giv ]
See synonyms for: forgiveforgaveforgivenforgiving on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),for·gave [fer-geyv], /fərˈgeɪv/, for·giv·en, for·giv·ing.
  1. to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.

  2. to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).

  1. to grant pardon to (a person).

  2. to cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one's enemies.

  3. to cancel an indebtedness or liability of: to forgive the interest owed on a loan.

verb (used without object),for·gave [fer-geyv], /fərˈgeɪv/, for·giv·en, for·giv·ing.
  1. to pardon an offense or an offender.

Origin of forgive

1
First recorded before 900; for- + give; replacing Middle English foryiven, Old English forgiefan

synonym study For forgive

1. See excuse.

Other words for forgive

Other words from forgive

  • for·giv·a·ble, adjective
  • for·giv·er, noun
  • half-for·giv·en, adjective
  • pre·for·give, verb (used with object) pre·for·gave, pre·for·giv·en, pre·for·giv·ing.
  • un·for·giv·a·ble, adjective
  • un·for·giv·a·ble·ness, noun
  • un·for·giv·a·bly, adverb
  • un·for·giv·en, adjective

Words that may be confused with forgive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use forgive in a sentence

  • Moviegoers who are looking for another Million Dollar Baby or Unforgiven are going to be disappointed, frankly.

    Gran Torino is 100-Proof Clint | Michael Korda | January 4, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • He knew that the country which broke his military career and ridiculed his newspaper controversy was unforgiven by him.

  • The exiles knew that the just wrath of God rested upon them as a nation and that their sins were unforgiven.

    The Prophet Ezekiel | Arno C. Gaebelein
  • It burdened his conscience with a galling weight, because by his fellows it remained long unforgiven.

    St. Winifred's | Frederic W. Farrar
  • Oh, I could hardly help hoping he did not mean to let me go to bed unforgiven.

    Mildred at Home | Martha Finley
  • And Father will be getting on with the Unforgiven, and come home any minute.

    A Singular Life | Elizabeth Stuart Phelps

British Dictionary definitions for forgive

forgive

/ (fəˈɡɪv) /


verb-gives, -giving, -gave or -given
  1. to cease to blame or hold resentment against (someone or something)

  2. to grant pardon for (a mistake, wrongdoing, etc)

  1. (tr) to free or pardon (someone) from penalty

  2. (tr) to free from the obligation of (a debt, payment, etc)

Origin of forgive

1
Old English forgiefan; see for-, give

Derived forms of forgive

  • forgivable, adjective
  • forgivably, adverb
  • forgiver, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012