Definition of "forgive" in English

verb

1. (transitive) To pardon (someone); to waive any negative feeling towards or desire for punishment or retribution against.

   • Please forgive me if my phone goes off - I'm expecting an urgent call from my boss.
   • Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.
   • Forgive us our trespasses.

2. (transitive) To pardon (something); to waive any negative feeling over or retribution for.

3. (transitive) To waive or remit (a debt), to absolve from payment or compensation of.

   • Forgive a debt, that is, tell a debtor that a repayment of a loan is no longer needed.

4. (intransitive) To accord forgiveness.

   • The brave know only how to forgive […] A coward never forgave; it is not in his nature.

5. (transitive) To look past; to look beyond.

   • The music critic loves the instrumentation of the song so much that he can forgive the confusing lyrics.

6. (transitive) To redeem; to offset the bad effects of something.