Dictionary
Thesaurus
Sentence Examples

Dictionary Home » Dictionary Definitions » forgive

forgive

Listen See in Thesaurus See in a sentence

The definition of forgive is to let go of anger, blame or resentment towards someone and return to friendly relations.

(verb)

When you are angry at someone for lying and he apologizes and you let it go and decide not to be angry any more, this is an example of a situation where you forgive.

YourDictionary definition and usage example. Copyright © 2013 by LoveToKnow Corp.

See forgive in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb forgave, forgiven, forgiving

to give up resentment against or the desire to punish; stop being angry with; pardon
to give up all claim to punish or exact penalty for (an offense); overlook
to cancel or remit (a debt)

Origin: ME forgeven < OE forgiefan, forgifan (akin to Ger vergeben): see for- & give

intransitive verb

to show forgiveness; be inclined to forgive

Related Forms:

forgivable adjective
forgiver noun

See forgive in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb for·gave (-gāvˈ), for·giv·en (-gĭvˈən), for·giv·ing, for·gives

verb, transitive

To excuse for a fault or an offense; pardon.
To renounce anger or resentment against.
To absolve from payment of (a debt, for example).

verb, intransitive

To accord forgiveness.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English forgiven

Origin: , from Old English forgiefan; see ghabh- in Indo-European roots

.

Related Forms:

for·givˈa·ble adjective

for·givˈa·bly adverb

for·givˈer noun

Learn more about forgive

forgive synonyms

forgive in a sentence

forgive quotes

link/cite print suggestion box

More from YD

» more results...

About YourDictionary Advertisers Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Help
© 1996-2013 LoveToKnow, Corp. All Rights Reserved. Audio pronunciation provided by LoveToKnow, Corp.