forgive

UK: /fə^rˈgɪv/ US: /fɚˈgɪv/ ,(fər giv′)

Inflections of 'forgive' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

forgives

v 3rd person singular

forgiving

v pres p

forgave

v past

forgiven

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

for•give /fɚˈgɪv/   v., -gave/-ˈgeɪv/  -giv•en, -giv•ing. 
v. [usually not: be + ~-ing]

1. to grant pardon for (an offense);
   absolve: [~ + object]
   to forgive a sin.
   [no object]
   Forgive and go forward.
2. to grant pardon to (a person): [~ + object]
   forgave him and told him to repent.
   [~ + object + object]
   forgave him his sins.
3. to cease to feel resentment against:
   [~ + object] to forgive one's enemies.
4. to cancel or remit (a debt, obligation, etc.):
   [~ + object] to forgive the interest owed on a loan.

for•give•ness, n. [uncountable]
Synonyms

See excuse.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

for•give  (fər giv′), v., -gave, -giv•en, -giv•ing. 
v.t. 

1. to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.);
   absolve.
2. to give up all claim on account of;
   remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
3. to grant pardon to (a person).
4. to cease to feel resentment against:
   to forgive one's enemies.
5. to cancel an indebtedness or liability of:
   to forgive the interest owed on a loan.

v.i. 

6. to pardon an offense or an offender.

• bef. 900; for- + give; replacing Middle English foryiven, Old English forgiefan

for•giv′a•ble, adj. 
for•giv′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See excuse. 
• 3. absolve, acquit.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

forgive / fəˈɡɪv/ verb ( -gives, -giving, -gave, -given)

1. to cease to blame or hold resentment against (someone or something)
2. to grant pardon for (a mistake, wrongdoing, etc)
3. (transitive) to free or pardon (someone) from penalty
4. (transitive) to free from the obligation of (a debt, payment, etc)

Etymology: Old English forgiefan; see for-, give

forˈgivable adjective

forˈgiver noun