forgive

[fərˈɡɪv]

forgive Definition

• 1. stop feeling angry or resentful towards (someone) for an offence, flaw, or mistake
• 2. cancel (a debt)

Using forgive: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "forgive" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  I can't forgive him for what he did to me.

• Example

  She forgave him for forgetting her birthday.

• Example

  Please forgive my ignorance.

• Example

  The bank has agreed to forgive the loan.

forgive Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for forgive

• pardon
• excuse
• absolve
• acquit
• exonerate

Antonyms for forgive

• blame
• condemn
• accuse

Phrases with forgive

• forgive and forget

  to completely forgive someone and not let their past mistakes affect your future relationship with them

  Example

  I know he made a mistake, but I think it's time to forgive and forget.

• beg for forgiveness

  to ask someone to forgive you for something you have done wrong

  Example

  He begged for her forgiveness after he realized how much he had hurt her.

• forgive me

  used as a polite way of asking someone to excuse you for something you have said or done

  Example

  Forgive me for interrupting, but I have a question.

Origins of forgive

from Old English 'forgiefan', meaning 'give, grant, allow; remit (a debt)', from 'for-' meaning 'completely' + 'giefan' meaning 'give'

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Summary: forgive in Brief

To 'forgive' [fərˈɡɪv] means to stop feeling angry or resentful towards someone for an offense, flaw, or mistake. It can also mean to cancel a debt. Examples include 'I can't forgive him for what he did to me.' and 'The bank has agreed to forgive the loan.' Phrases like 'forgive and forget' denote complete forgiveness, while 'beg for forgiveness' implies asking for pardon.