Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To stop feeling angry or resentful toward (someone) for an offense, flaw, or mistake; to cease to blame.
   • To pardon or remit (a debt, sin, or offense); to grant absolution for.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To grant forgiveness; to be willing to pardon.

Usage and Examples

• Transitive Verb (forgive someone):
  • It was difficult, but I finally forgave my friend for the misunderstanding.
  • She asked him to forgive her for being late.
• Transitive Verb (forgive something):
  • Can you ever forgive such a rude remark?
  • The bank agreed to forgive the remaining loan balance.
• Intransitive Verb:
  • To err is human; to forgive, divine. (Proverbial saying)

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• "Forgive me": A common polite formula used to apologize or to preface a potentially impolite statement.
  • Forgive me for interrupting, but I have an urgent question.
• "Forgive and forget": An idiom meaning to completely pardon an offense and put it out of one's mind.
  • They decided to forgive and forget and move on with their friendship.
• "God forgive me/them/us": An expression of remorse or a plea for divine pardon.
  • I should never have said that—God forgive me.

Variants and Related Words

• Forgivable (adjective): Able to be forgiven or excused; pardonable.
  • His mistake was a minor and forgivable one.
• Forgiveness (noun): The action or process of forgiving or being forgiven.
  • Seeking forgiveness is the first step toward reconciliation.
• Unforgivable (adjective): So bad or unacceptable that it cannot be forgiven.
  • Many considered his betrayal to be unforgivable.

Synonyms

• Pardon: Often used in similar contexts, sometimes with a more formal or legal connotation.
• Excuse: To overlook a minor fault or offense.
• Absolve: To formally set free from blame or guilt.
• Let off: (Informal) To not punish someone.

Antonyms

• Blame: To assign responsibility for a fault or wrong.
• Condemn: To express complete disapproval of.
• Resent: To feel bitterness or indignation at.

Related Phrases and Constructions

• To forgive someone for something: The standard construction for stating the offense.
  • He forgave his brother for breaking the vase.
• To forgive a debt: To cancel what is owed.
  • The charity forgave the family's medical debt.

Verb

1. absolve from payment
   • I forgive you your debt
2. stop blaming or grant forgiveness
   • I forgave him his infidelity
   • She cannot forgive him for forgetting her birthday