- to cease to blame or hold resentment against (someone or something)
- to grant pardon for (a mistake, wrongdoing, etc)
- (transitive) to free or pardon (someone) from penalty
- (transitive) to free from the obligation of (a debt, payment, etc)
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
for•give /fɚˈgɪv/USA pronunciation
v., -gave/-ˈgeɪv/USA pronunciation -giv•en, -giv•ing.
v. [usually not: be + ~-ing]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026v. [usually not: be + ~-ing]
- to grant pardon for (an offense);
absolve: [~ + object]to forgive a sin.[no object]Forgive and go forward. - to grant pardon to (a person): [~ + object]forgave him and told him to repent.[~ + object + object]forgave him his sins.
- to cease to feel resentment against:[~ + object]to forgive one's enemies.
- to cancel or remit (a debt, obligation, etc.):[~ + object]to forgive the interest owed on a loan.
- See excuse.
for•give
(fər giv′),USA pronunciation v., -gave, -giv•en, -giv•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
for•giv′a•ble, adj.
for•giv′er, n.
v.t.
- to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.);
absolve. - to give up all claim on account of;
remit (a debt, obligation, etc.). - to grant pardon to (a person).
- to cease to feel resentment against:to forgive one's enemies.
- to cancel an indebtedness or liability of:to forgive the interest owed on a loan.
v.i.
- to pardon an offense or an offender.
- bef. 900; for- + give; replacing Middle English foryiven, Old English forgiefan
for•giv′er, n.
- 1. See excuse. 3. absolve, acquit.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
forgive /fəˈɡɪv/ vb ( -gives, -giving, -gave, -given)
'forgiven' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
forgiveness
- indulgence
- venial
- whatever
- dispensable
- half-forgiven
- Kol Nidre
- live
- wish
- sacred monster