Lernwerd

forgive

//fə(ɹ)ˈɡɪv//

Verb

A word that expresses an action, state, or occurrence.

informal

Note for forgive

Mnemonics, your own examples, reminders…

Forms

present (v1)
forgive
past (v2)
forgave
past participle (v3)
forgiven
present participle
forgiving
3rd person singular
forgives

Definitions

  1. 1.To pardon (someone); to waive any negative feeling towards or desire for punishment or retribution against.

    • Please forgive me if my phone goes off - I'm expecting an urgent call from my boss.
    • Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.
  2. 2.To pardon (something); to waive any negative feeling over or retribution for.

    • What? Are we all just supposed to forgive this? This guy messed up in the worst possible way he could! Now we have nothing!
  3. 3.To waive or remit (a debt), to absolve from payment or compensation of.

    • Forgive a debt, that is, tell a debtor that a repayment of a loan is no longer needed.
    • In several months you’re likely to have a clearer picture on how your state intends to treat your forgiven PPP loan and the deductibility of your business expenses not just for tax year 2020 but also tax year 2021.
  4. 4.To accord forgiveness.

    • The brave know only how to forgive […] A coward never forgave; it is not in his nature.

Frequency

Overall

Uncommon· #2751

By learning goal

Everyday conversation
Uncommon
General reading & writing
Uncommon
Academic
Rare
Literature
Rare

Related words

Word family

Etymology

Alteration (due to give) of Middle English foryiven, forȝiven, from Old English forġiefan (“to forgive, to give”), from Proto-West Germanic *frageban, from Proto-Germanic *fragebaną (“to give away; give up; release; forgive”), equivalent to for- + give (etymologically for- + yive).

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