Forgive
/fərˈɡɪv/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo grant pardon for a fault or offense; to cease to feel resentment against.
/fərˈɡɪv/
To stop feeling angry or resentful toward someone for an offense.
I forgive you for being late.
💡 Simply: Imagine your friend accidentally breaks your favorite toy. 'Forgive' means you decide not to be mad anymore. It's like saying, 'It's okay, I don't mind!'
👶 For kids: To stop being mad at someone for doing something wrong.
More Examples
It's difficult to forgive someone who has hurt you deeply.
She finally forgave her brother for breaking her toy.
How It's Used
"She struggled to forgive him for his betrayal."
"The priest asked God to forgive the sins of the congregation."
"The court will forgive the student's fine after community service is completed"
To cancel (a debt or other obligation).
/fərˈɡɪv/
To cancel (a debt, obligation, or penalty).
The company forgave the late fees.
💡 Simply: Imagine you owe your friend money, and they say, "You don't have to pay me back!" That's what 'forgive' means in this case – to cancel a debt.
👶 For kids: To say someone doesn't have to pay you back money or do something they promised.
More Examples
The bank forgave a portion of the mortgage.
The government forgave student loan debt for many public servants.
How It's Used
"The bank decided to forgive the student's loan."
"The court forgave the fine due to extenuating circumstances."
Idioms & expressions
Forgive and forget
To pardon someone and put the past behind you.
"After the argument, they decided to forgive and forget and move on."
Ask for forgiveness
To request pardon for a wrong action.
"He humbled himself and asked for her forgiveness."
From Middle English forgiven, from Old English forgiefan ('to give up, pardon'), from Proto-Germanic *ga- + *gebaną ('to give'). The prefix 'for-' intensifies the meaning of 'give'.
The word 'forgive' has been used for centuries, originally with strong religious connotations, focusing on pardoning sins and transgressions.
Memory tip
Imagine someone dropping a plate of food on you accidentally. Forgiving them is letting go of the anger, as if you were giving them a gift of not being upset.
Word Origin
"to give up, pardon"