verb (used with object), for·gave, for·giv·en, for·giv·ing.
- to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.
- to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
- to grant pardon to (a person).
- to cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one’s enemies.
- to cancel an indebtedness or liability of: to forgive the interest owed on a loan.
verb (used without object), for·gave, for·giv·en, for·giv·ing.
- to pardon an offense or an offender.
adjective
- so bad as to be unable to be excused or pardoned
verb -gives, -giving, -gave or -given
- to cease to blame or hold resentment against (someone or something)
- to grant pardon for (a mistake, wrongdoing, etc)
- (tr) to free or pardon (someone) from penalty
- (tr) to free from the obligation of (a debt, payment, etc)
adj.1540s, from un- (1) “not” + forgive + -able. In early use, especially with reference to the sin in Matt. xii:31. Related: Unforgivably. v.Old English forgiefan “give, grant, allow; forgive,” also “to give up” and “to give in marriage;” from for- “completely” + giefan “give” (see give). The modern sense of “to give up desire or power to punish” is from use of the compound as a Germanic loan-translation of Latin perdonare (cf. Old Saxon fargeban, Dutch vergeven, German vergeben, Gothic fragiban; see pardon). Related: Forgave; forgiven; forgiving.