2 syllables: fore, go. Stress on fore.
/ˈfɔɹɡoʊ/
Say it backForego (also spelled forgo) means to go before or precede something, often used in the sense of preceding or foregoing an action or event. In common usage, it can imply choosing not to partake or to precede with something. The noun form is foregone, though the verb is typically used as a simple present or past participle in context.
"If you forego dessert, you’ll save calories for the main course."
"Some travelers forego a layover to reach their destination faster."
"The team chose to forego extra practices to rest before the final."
You pronounce it as fawr-GO, with two syllables and primary stress on the second syllable. In IPA for US: /fɔːrˈɡoʊ/; UK: /fɔːˈɡəʊ/; AU: /ˈfɔːɡəʊ/. Start with the /f/ and /ɔː/ as a long vowel, then the /r/ if you’re speaking American English, and finish with a strong /ɡoʊ/ or /ɡəʊ/ depending on accent. Focus on keeping the second syllable clear and elongated to convey the main stress. Audio references: you can listen to native pronunciation on Forvo and YouGlish, search “forego.” Keywords: pronunciation, stress, IPA, two syllables.
Common errors include merging the second syllable too quickly (fɔːrˈɡoʊ) and giving only a short /oʊ/ or /əʊ/ sound, making it sound like ‘for-go’ with no emphasis. Another mistake is misplacing stress as FORe-go (stress on the first syllable). Correction: ensure primary stress on the second syllable and pronounce the final vowel as a clear long [oʊ] (US) or [əʊ] (UK/AU). Practice with minimal pairs that force second-syllable emphasis, and use a slow draw before accelerating your tempo.
In US English, the first syllable carries secondary coloring, with a rhotic /r/ linking into /ɡoʊ/; the second syllable has a strong long /oʊ/. In UK English, you’ll hear /fɔːˈɡəʊ/ with a reduced second syllable vowel /əʊ/ and less rhotic influence. Australian English is similar to UK but with a slightly flatter vowel in the first syllable and a clear /ɡəʊ/ or /ɡəʊ/ ending. Overall: US tends to a pronounced rhotic link and a stronger final /oʊ/, UK/AU favor a reduced middle vowel. IPA references: US /fɔːrˈɡoʊ/, UK /fɔːˈɡəʊ/, AU /fɔːˈɡəʊ/.
Because it blends a stressed second syllable with a long vowel, and the second vowel often reduces to /ə/ in some speakers (UK/AU), which can obscure the intended /oʊ/ sound. The presence of an /r/ before the final /ɡoʊ/ in US speech adds another articulatory step, which can cause confusion when listeners expect a simple two-syllable word. Mastery requires clear separation of syllables and sustaining the final diphthong to avoid a clipped ending.
Yes. The primary uniqueness is the stress realignment: it’s a verb commonly pronounced with secondary stress on the second syllable, making it feel like a two-beat word (fore-GO). Some speakers shorten the first syllable and sometimes sound the second as /ɡoʊ/ or /ɡəʊ/ depending on region. Also note the historical alternation with forgo; modern standard is forego for the sense of abstaining, which affects pronunciation preferences in formal writing.
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Forego originates from Middle English forgan, from Old English forgangan, from for- (before) + gan (to go). The sense evolved from “to go before” or “to proceed” to the modern sense of “to refrain from taking” (to forgo an action). The spelling with fore- reflects the sense of going before an event or choice. In early texts, forgo appeared with variations like forgo and forego, though the modern preference in many dialects is forego when meaning to decline participation, while forgo is also found as a separate verb meaning “to go ahead.” Over time, usage settled into two main senses: 1) to precede or be before, and 2) to decide not to do something or to omit something, with the latter becoming the dominant modern sense in everyday English. First known uses appear in medieval writings, with closest cognates found in Old English and Germanic forms that denote going before or preceding an action. The spelling divergence hints at the semantic shift from “going before” to “holding back,” a common theme in English verb adaptation. In contemporary usage, the sense of voluntary abstention (to forego a treat, a vacation, or a convenience) coexists with the literal sense of “to go before” in more formal or literary contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "forego" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "forego" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "forego"
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