Forgo: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：give up (forgo)

forgo 🔊

/fɔːrˈɡoʊ/

vt.

To decide not to have or do something that you want or need.

Illustration of a person choosing to forgo a slice of chocolate cake, depicting voluntary sacrifice.

give up 🔊

➕

/ɡɪv ʌp/

vt.

To voluntarily decide to do without or refrain from something desirable or customary.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'forgān' ('for-' meaning 'away, completely' + 'gān' meaning 'to go'), literally 'to go past, pass without'.

💡 Mnemonic

FOR GO → sounds like 'forego' which means to go before, but remember you FORGO something by letting it GO.

📖 Example

To save money for his trip, Mark decided to forgo buying new sneakers this month. 🔊 In order to accumulate funds for his journey, Mark chose to give up purchasing new sneakers for the month.

🔗 Collocations

forgo pleasure – to abstain from enjoyable activities

forgo an opportunity – to choose not to take a chance

forgo a meal – to skip eating a meal

🔄 Synonyms

abstain (vi.) – to refrain deliberately from an action or indulgence

renounce (vt.) – to give up formally or resign from

relinquish (vt.) – to voluntarily cease to keep or claim

🚫 Antonyms

indulge (v.) – to allow oneself to enjoy a pleasure freely

claim (vt.) – to assert one's right to something

seize (vt.) – to take hold of eagerly or forcibly

🌱 Derivatives

forgoer (n.) – one who forgoes something

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'forgo' originates from Old English and has consistently meant to abstain or refrain from something. In modern contexts, it is frequently used in formal writing, financial planning (e.g., forgoing a luxury to save), and discussions about health or dietary choices (e.g., forgoing sugar).