forget
forget Lexical Profile
forget Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To fail to remember someone or something that was previously known or learned.
"She tends to forget people's names shortly after meeting them."
To inadvertently neglect to attend to a duty, task, or obligation, or to accidentally leave an object behind.
"Please do not forget to lock the front door before you leave for work."
To deliberately cease thinking about, worrying over, or considering a matter, grievance, or plan.
"They decided to forgive each other and forget their past disagreements."
To behave in an inappropriate, undignified, or uncharacteristic manner by losing self-restraint (used reflexively).
"The frustrated speaker momentarily forgot himself and shouted at the audience."
Word Nuance & Usage
When followed by a gerund (e.g., "forget locking the door"), it means failing to recall a past action that already occurred; when followed by a to-infinitive (e.g., "forget to lock the door"), it means failing to perform a required action.
• Rhymes for forget
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English forgietan, meaning "to lose the power of recalling to mind," formed from the prefix for- (away, amiss) and gietan (to grasp or get), literally meaning "to lose one's hold on."