forgive

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Forgive is when you let go of a feeling or situation that's been bothering you, usually because someone has done something wrong.

When we forgive someone, it doesn't mean what they did was okay. It means we stop being angry or hurt by it and choose to move on. Imagine if someone accidentally broke your favorite mug - you might feel upset at first, but after a while, you could decide to let go of the anger and just be happy that you still have your friends. You wouldn't continue feeling angry for months because they weren't careful with your cup. Forgiving is about choosing not to hold onto those feelings anymore.

How common is "forgive"?

Word forgive is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

verb

(transitive) To pardon (someone); to waive any negative feeling towards or desire for punishment or retribution against.
Example: Please forgive me if my phone goes off - I'm expecting an urgent call from my boss.
(transitive) To pardon (something); to waive any negative feeling over or retribution for.
(transitive) To waive or remit (a debt), to absolve from payment or compensation of.
Example: Forgive a debt, that is, tell a debtor that a repayment of a loan is no longer needed.
(intransitive) To accord forgiveness.
Example: The brave know only how to forgive […] A coward never forgave; it is not in his nature.
(transitive) To look past; to look beyond.
Example: The music critic loves the instrumentation of the song so much that he can forgive the confusing lyrics.
(transitive) To redeem; to offset the bad effects of something.

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Real examples of "forgive" in context

Bryan Cranston Fully Commits While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones

Interview

forgiveness is that, is that still are we still able to have that in our society?

22:11

And some people will think that asking forgiveness or granting for forgiveness

22:16

Tom Cruise on Doing Incredibly Dangerous Stunts, Mission Impossible & Top Gun with Val Kilmer