forgo

/fɔrˈgoʊ/

/fɔˈgʌʊ/

Other forms: forgoing; forgone; forwent

The verb forgo means to give up or lose the right to something.

The word forgo can be traced back to the Old English word forgān, which meant to pass away or to die, which is sometimes referred to as "giving up the ghost." Perhaps it was this idea of relinquishing something that led to our modern-day use of the word forgo to mean to give up, waive, or forfeit something. For example, someone charged with a crime might decide to forgo the right to remain silent and instead confess.

Definitions of forgo

1. verb

   do without or cease to hold or adhere to
   synonyms: dispense with, forego, foreswear, relinquish, waive

   types:

   give up, kick

   stop consuming
2. verb

   lose (s.th.) or lose the right to (s.th.) by some error, offense, or crime
   synonyms: forego, forfeit, give up, throw overboard, waive

   types:

   lapse

   let slip

   type of:

   abandon

   forsake; leave behind
3. verb

   be earlier in time; go back further
   synonyms: antecede, antedate, forego, precede, predate