forgivefor‧give /fəˈɡɪv $ fər-/ ●●○ verb (past tense forgave /-ˈɡeɪv/, past participle forgiven /-ˈɡɪvən/) [intransitive, transitive] 
I’ve tried to forgive him for what he said. He never forgave her for walking out on him.forgive myself/yourself etc If anything happened to the kids I’d never forgive myself.you’re forgiven spoken (=used to tell someone that you are not angry with them) ‘I’m really sorry.’ ‘It’s okay, you’re forgiven.’forgive somebody something God forgives us our sins. He didn’t look the sort of man to forgive and forget (=forgive someone and no longer think about it).GRAMMAR: Patterns with forgive• You forgive someone: · Alright, I forgive you.• You forgive something: · Please forgive his rudeness.• You forgive someone for something or for doing something: · She lied and I can’t forgive her for that.· Forgive me for not writing.• In literary or formal English, you can forgive someone something: · Forgive us our trespasses. This pattern is not used in everyday English.2forgive me spoken used when you are going to say or do something that might seem rude or offensive and you want it to seem more polite: Forgive me, but I don’t think that is relevant.forgive me for asking/saying etc something (also forgive my asking/saying etc) Forgive me for saying so, but that’s nonsense. Forgive my phoning you so late.3somebody can be forgiven for thinking/believing/feeling etc something used to say that it is easy to understand why someone might think or do something: You could be forgiven for thinking football is a religion here.4forgive a debt/loan formal if a country or organization forgives a debt, it says that the money does not have to be paid back SYN write off: Saudi Arabia’s decision to forgive the debt owed by the poorest Islamic countries
WORD ORIGINforgive
Origin:
Old English forgifanVERB TABLE
forgive
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | forgive |
| he, she, it | forgives | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | forgave |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have forgiven |
| he, she, it | has forgiven | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had forgiven |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will forgive |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have forgiven |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am forgiving |
| he, she, it | is forgiving | |
| you, we, they | are forgiving | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was forgiving |
| you, we, they | were forgiving | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been forgiving |
| he, she, it | has been forgiving | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been forgiving |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be forgiving |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been forgiving |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- After several years of therapy, Deanna was finally able to forgive her father.
- He's not the kind of person who is quick to forgive.
- He had lied to me, and I couldn't forgive him for that.
- Hugh found his wife's behaviour hard to forgive.
- I could understand her being angry, but I'll still never forgive her the way she treated me afterwards.
- Please forgive me -- it was a complete accident.
- And as for those who destroyed my Sunday all those years ago, I shall never forgive them.
- He healed the sick, raised the dead, exercised authority over the evil spirits and forgave sins.
- I will never forgive that doctor his callousness.
- If the young among us have no idea who he was, they should be forgiven.
Longman Language Activatorto forgive someone
to stop being angry with someone for something bad they have done, especially when they have upset you or done something unkind: · He's not the kind of person who is quick to forgive.· Please forgive me -- it was a complete accident.· Hugh found his wife's behaviour hard to forgive.forgive somebody for something: · He had lied to me, and I couldn't forgive him for that.forgive somebody something: · I could understand her being angry, but I'll still never forgive her the way she treated me afterwards.
to forgive a small fault such as carelessness, rudeness, lateness etc: · Excuse my brother if he talks too much, he's rather excitable.· I didn't realize this was a formal party, so I hope you can excuse my appearance.
formal to forgive someone for something that is not serious, such as impolite or bad-tempered behaviour: · Pardon the mess -- I got home late last night and didn't have time to clean up.pardon somebody for something: · I am so sorry about that, Mr Judd. Please pardon my daughter for her little outburst.
to forgive someone for something that happened in the past, usually a long time ago: · You two haven't said a word to each other for a year now. Don't you think it's time to forgive and forget?· Angela's father was not a man who found it easy to forgive and forget.
spoken to forgive someone for something bad they did to you in the past, and stop being unfriendly towards them: · Why don't we let bygones be bygones and forget about the whole thing?
what you say to tell someone that you forgive them spoken say this when someone has said that they are sorry for something they did: · "Sorry I didn't phone you last week." "That's OK - I know how busy you've been."· "I must apologize for keeping you waiting so long." "That's all right."
spoken informal say this to tell someone that you do not blame them for something, and that they should not worry about it any more: · "I feel so bad about upsetting your plans.'' "Oh, forget it. it really doesn't matter.''
spoken say this when someone says they are sorry that they made a mistake or forgot something, and you want to tell them not to worry: · "Please forgive me for losing your book." "Oh, never mind. I have another copy."
spoken say this when someone says they are sorry, and you want to tell them politely that there is no need to be sorry: · "I'm sorry we had to cancel the party.'' "Oh, please don't give it another thought. It wasn't your fault that you were ill!''
spoken informal say this when you want to tell someone that you are not angry with them, even though they have upset you or you have quarrelled with them: · No hard feelings, Stu. You had every right to be angry with me.
behaviour that cannot be forgiven behaviour that is unforgivable is so bad that you cannot forgive it: · The way you spoke to your mother was unforgivable.· It was an unforgiveable thing to do.
an action or situation that is inexcusable cannot be excused and someone must be blamed for it, because there is no good reason for it: · Anyone can make a mistake, but to ignore basic safety regulations is quite inexcusable.it is inexcusable that: · It is inexcusable that the government has never paid a cent to the widows of these brave men.
to refuse to forgive someone to refuse to forgive someone, because they have done something very bad: never forgive somebody for something: · She never really forgave Roy for what he said.never forgive yourself: · I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to the children while I was out.
to continue to feel angry with someone for a long time because they treated you badly in the past: · Coughlan loved to argue but he never held a grudge.bear/hold a grudge against: · Can you think of anyone who might bear a grudge against you?· Police believe the suspect held a grudge against the federal government.
to dislike someone because of something they did in the past, even though it is no longer important: · Look, he made one mistake - you can't hold it against him for the rest of his life.
what you say to tell someone that you are sorry spoken say this to tell someone you are sorry that you upset them or caused problems for them; you can also say this as a polite way of excusing yourself for a small mistake: · I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude.· Sorry, did I step on your foot?I'm very/really/terribly sorry: · I'm really sorry, Joanna. I've broken one of your glasses.sorry/I'm sorry (that): · I'm sorry that I shouted at you.· Sorry we're late, Shelley.sorry/I'm sorry about: · Sorry about all the noise.sorry/I'm sorry to do something: · I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to discuss my essay.sorry/I'm sorry for (doing something): · I'm sorry for barging in without ringing the bell.
especially American, spoken say this to tell someone you are sorry because you accidentally touched them or made a small or embarrassing mistake: · Oh, excuse me, is that your bag I just stood on?· Excuse me - I didn't realize there was anyone in here.
formal spoken say this when you make a small mistake and you want to say sorry politely: · "That's my pen." "Oh, I beg your pardon - I thought it was mine.''
also I apologise British say this to apologize in a fairly formal way, for example when you have upset someone or done something wrong or unfair: · You were right and I was wrong. I apologize.· I apologize in advance if anyone's offended by this.I apologize for: · I apologise for writing to you like this, out of the blue.
say this when you have done something that you later find out to be wrong or unfair: · It seems I owe you an apology -- I was supposed to phone you on Saturday night.I owe you an apology for (doing something): · I think I owe you an apology for my behaviour the other night.
say this when you have done something wrong or have upset someone, or when you are going to say or ask something that might seem rude or offensive: · Forgive me, I didn't mean to offend you.forgive me for doing something: · Forgive me for asking, but how old are you?· Forgive me for saying this, but you really don't look well at all.
used in formal letters: · Please accept my apologies. I will be taking steps to ensure this does not happen again.please accept my apologies for: · Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this error has caused.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY If anything happened to the kids I’d never forgive myself. God forgives us our sins. He didn’t look the sort of man to forgive and forget (=forgive someone and no longer think about it). Forgive me, but I don’t think that is relevant.
If anything happened to the kids I’d never forgive myself. spoken (=used to tell someone that you are not angry with them) ‘I’m really sorry.’ ‘It’s okay, you’re forgiven.’
‘I’m really sorry.’ ‘It’s okay, you’re forgiven.’ God forgives us our sins. He didn’t look the sort of man to forgive and forget (=forgive someone and no longer think about it). Forgive me, but I don’t think that is relevant. also forgive my asking/saying etc Forgive me for saying so, but that’s nonsense. Forgive my phoning you so late.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Forgive me for saying so, but that’s nonsense. Forgive my phoning you so late. (=used when you have said a word or phrase that might offend someone)· After the climb, we were absolutely knackered, if you’ll pardon the expression.
(=used to show you know you are making a pun)
· God has forgiven all my sins.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· I will never, ever forgive him, for leaving me alone with two small girls in this enormous house.· I don't know if I will ever forgive Madness' fans: they took away my beloved Morrissey.· How could she ever forgive him?· I didn't know how you could ever forgive me.
· And as for those who destroyed my Sunday all those years ago, I shall never forgive them.· She never forgave Remi for it.· Your kids are so precious you'd never forgive yourself if something awful happened.· The Rognes family, Paul and Florence, was devastated, and never forgave the insult.· I know that you've never forgiven me for what happened, and I don't blame you, darling.· I will never forgive that doctor his callousness.· He never forgave us you know.· If I have ruined my child, I will never forgive myself.
· Do please forgive this very tardy reply.· Do please forgive me as I am kept going the whole day.· Please forgive me if it sounds as if I think he has won.· I am very sorry and please forgive me.· Please forgive this invitation being to the reception only.
NOUN· It is asking creditors to forgive some debts and extend payments 24 to 48 months.· If I eyed them now and then it was with forgiveness, as one forgives the debt of a needy friend.· A lower court forgave the debt, but the case went all the way to the Supreme Court.
· But Vincent never forgave his father, holding him personally responsible for this betrayal.· I never forgave my father for coming back from the war.
· I can forgive my mistakes 22.· It was the old mountain teaching another brutal lesson, that the mountain and its weather does not forgive a mistake.
· He healed the sick, raised the dead, exercised authority over the evil spirits and forgave sins.· Costly grace is the only pure grace, which really forgives sins and gives freedom to the sinner.· You have forgiven your people's sins and pardoned all their wrongs.
VERB· Bill has never asked anybody to forgive him before.· When I saw him a week later he got down on his knees and asked me to forgive him what he done.· He also added that Moore had never asked them to forgive her for throwing their lives into grief and chaos.· It is asking creditors to forgive some debts and extend payments 24 to 48 months.· I ask them to forgive me for not taking interventions.· An hour later she would ask to be forgiven.· He hoped, I suppose, that she would come and ask him to forgive her.· And ask Meg to forgive me, too.
· Admittedly not all was forgotten or forgiven.· Such a breach of trust is not forgotten, seldom forgiven.· And seven members of the shadow cabinet put out statements warning Mr Ashdown that voters would neither forget nor forgive.
· Elisabeth wrung her hands, still flushing with embarrassment, hoping David would forgive her.· She hopes you will forgive her.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► somebody can be forgiven for thinking/believing/feeling etc something► forgive a debt/loan
- Forgive me for asking, but how old are you?
- Forgive me for saying this, but you really don't look well at all.
- Forgive me, I didn't mean to offend you.
- And I am almost glad, because now you can forgive me!
- But please say you will forgive me.
- But, if you will forgive me, perhaps I can just correct you on a couple of points.
- I am sure Martha will forgive me for saying that her very presence excites envy from others.
- I know that you've never forgiven me for what happened, and I don't blame you, darling.
- I must tell you something and you must forgive me.
- Mr. Soames I hope that the hon. Gentleman will forgive me if I do not.
- Of course - if you will forgive me for saying so - it is a bit stilted in its present form.
WORD FAMILYnounforgivenessadjectiveforgiving ≠ unforgivingverbforgiveadverbunforgivably
1to stop being angry with someone and stop blaming them, although they have done something wrongforgive somebody for (doing) something I’ve tried to forgive him for what he said. He never forgave her for walking out on him.forgive myself/yourself etc If anything happened to the kids I’d never forgive myself.you’re forgiven spoken (=used to tell someone that you are not angry with them) ‘I’m really sorry.’ ‘It’s okay, you’re forgiven.’forgive somebody something God forgives us our sins. He didn’t look the sort of man to forgive and forget (=forgive someone and no longer think about it).GRAMMAR: Patterns with forgive• You forgive someone: · Alright, I forgive you.• You forgive something: · Please forgive his rudeness.• You forgive someone for something or for doing something: · She lied and I can’t forgive her for that.· Forgive me for not writing.• In literary or formal English, you can forgive someone something: · Forgive us our trespasses. This pattern is not used in everyday English.2forgive me spoken used when you are going to say or do something that might seem rude or offensive and you want it to seem more polite: Forgive me, but I don’t think that is relevant.forgive me for asking/saying etc something (also forgive my asking/saying etc) Forgive me for saying so, but that’s nonsense. Forgive my phoning you so late.3somebody can be forgiven for thinking/believing/feeling etc something used to say that it is easy to understand why someone might think or do something: You could be forgiven for thinking football is a religion here.4forgive a debt/loan formal if a country or organization forgives a debt, it says that the money does not have to be paid back SYN write off: Saudi Arabia’s decision to forgive the debt owed by the poorest Islamic countries- pickle
- pickled
- pick-me-up
- pickpocket
- pick-up
- pick-up game
- pick-up truck
- Pickwick, Mr
- Pickwick Papers, The
- picky
- picnic
- picnicker
- Pict
- Pictish
- pictogram
- pictorial
- picture
- picture book
- picture card
- picture messaging
- Picture of Dorian Gray, The
- picture-perfect
- picture-postcard
- picture postcard
- picture rail