forborne: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Literary
Quick answer
What does “forborne” mean?
The past participle of 'forbear' - to have refrained or held back from doing something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The past participle of 'forbear' - to have refrained or held back from doing something; to have shown patience or tolerance.
Used to describe a state of having exercised self-restraint, often in the face of provocation, temptation, or right, over a period of time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is equally rare and formal in both varieties. The base verb 'forbear' is slightly more common in British legal/formal contexts.
Connotations
Formality, archaism, deliberate restraint. Can sound biblical or legalistic.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both corpora. Most common in fixed phrases like 'the forbearance shown' or 'have forborne from'.
Grammar
How to Use “forborne” in a Sentence
[Subject] has forborne [from VERB-ing][Subject] has forborne [to VERB][Subject] has forborne [OBJECT]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forborne” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The landlord had forborne to increase the rent for years.
- She has forborne from public criticism of her colleagues.
American English
- The prosecutor had forborne pursuing charges as a gesture of goodwill.
- He has forborne comment on the allegations until now.
adverb
British English
- No adverb form derived from 'forborne'.
American English
- No adverb form derived from 'forborne'.
adjective
British English
- No common adjective use for 'forborne'. The related adjective is 'forbearing'.
American English
- No common adjective use for 'forborne'. The related adjective is 'forbearing'.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Possible in formal negotiations: 'We have forborne from enforcing the penalty clause.'
Academic
Used in historical, legal, or ethical texts discussing restraint, tolerance, or non-action.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Would be replaced by 'held back', 'didn't do', or 'refrained from'.
Technical
In law, can relate to 'forbearance' as a contractual concept of not enforcing a right.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “forborne”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “forborne”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forborne”
- Incorrect: *I was forborne to tell him. Correct: I forbore to tell him / I have forborne to tell him.
- Confusing 'forborne' (past participle) with 'forbore' (simple past).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is extremely rare and confined to formal, literary, or legal contexts. In everyday speech, 'refrained' or 'held back' is used.
'Forbore' is the simple past tense (e.g., 'He forbore to comment'). 'Forborne' is the past participle, used with auxiliary verbs like 'have' or 'had' (e.g., 'He has forborne to comment').
No, 'forborne' is exclusively the past participle of the verb 'forbear'. The adjective meaning 'patient and restrained' is 'forbearing'.
It is generally positive or neutral, implying praiseworthy self-restraint, patience, or tolerance. However, it can sometimes imply weakness if the restraint is seen as excessive.
The past participle of 'forbear' - to have refrained or held back from doing something.
Forborne is usually formal, literary in register.
Forborne: in British English it is pronounced /fɔːˈbɔːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /fɔːrˈbɔːrn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To have forborne one's tongue”
- “To have forborne the rod (and spoiled the child)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FOR (in place of) + BORNE (carried). You have 'carried' the burden of NOT doing something.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESTRAINT IS BURDEN BEARING (one 'bears' the weight of not acting).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'forborne' correctly?