Word
forgo
Phoneticsfor·go, stress on the second syllable
US/fɔɹˈɡoʊ/
UK/fˈɔːɡəʊ/
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
forgo
Past
forwent
Past participle
forgone
Definition
v. to choose not to have or use something, even if you want it. It is a more formal way to say 'to give up'.
v. to deliberately choose not to have or use something; to give up or do without. Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a conscious sacrifice.
Examples
“He decided to forgo his lunch to finish the report.”
“The company chose to forgo short-term profits in order to invest in sustainable energy sources for the future.”
“By forgo the traditional opening ceremony, the organizers hoped to save time and ensure the event started exactly at noon as scheduled.”
Examples
simple
“He decided to forgo his lunch to finish the report.”
contextual
“The company chose to forgo short-term profits in order to invest in sustainable energy sources for the future.”
complex
“By forgo the traditional opening ceremony, the organizers hoped to save time and ensure the event started exactly at noon as scheduled.”
Real-World Examples
“Forgoing the Commonwealth Games to prioritise her European title defence, Hodgkinson was further encouraged by her progress on a Portugal training camp before travelling to Birmingham.” “This loss of coverage may also lead to even more dire consequences, such as increased hospitalizations that can result when uninsured people forgo basic or preventive care.” Etymology
From Middle English forgon (“to go by, pass up”), from Old English forgān (“to go away, forgo”); equivalent to for- + go.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/forgo