B1verbrelationshipsemotions
US/fərˈɡɪv/
UK/fəˈɡɪv/
to stop being angry with someone who has done something wrong to you
In context
I can forgive you for being late, but not for lying.
It took her years to forgive her father for leaving the family.
Please forgive me if I sound rude; I'm just very tired.
Words that go with forgive
verb + preposition
- forgive someone forShe will never forgive him for reading her private messages.
adverb + verb
- never forgiveI would never forgive myself if something happened to the kids.
- easily forgiveCustomers don't easily forgive a company that loses their data.
- finally forgiveAfter many years, he was able to finally forgive his brother.
verb + noun
- forgive a debtThe bank agreed to forgive a debt that the farmers could never repay.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
Please forgive for me.Correct: Please forgive me.