English Reference
adjective · verb

foregoing

adj. · v.
US /fɔɹˈɡoʊɪŋ/ UK /fɔːɡˈəʊɪŋ/ fore·go·ing

  1. 01 C1 Advanced Formal

    adj.mentioned or written just before this point.

    adj.referring to something previously stated or written in a document or speech.

    Simple

    The foregoing examples show how the new law will affect small businesses.

    In context

    The foregoing arguments demonstrate that the current policy is unsustainable in the long term.

    Usage

    Usually placed before the noun it modifies, or used as a noun phrase with 'the'.

  2. 02 C2 Proficiency Formal

    v.the act of deciding not to have or do something enjoyable.

    v.the present participle of 'forego', meaning to abstain from or do without something.

    Simple

    By foregoing a summer holiday, the couple saved enough money for a house.

    In context

    Foregoing the traditional keynote address, the chairperson opted for a more interactive panel discussion to engage the delegates.

    Pitfall
    He is forgoing his lunch today. He is foregoing his lunch today.

    While 'forgo' is more common for 'going without', 'forego' is an accepted variant spelling, though 'foregoing' usually refers to things mentioned earlier.


See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated