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Definition of forgetful

forgetful

/fərˈɡɛtfəl/
for · get · ful
Adverb:forgetfully
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forgetful Lexical Profile

forgetful Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Apt or likely to forget things; having a poor memory or easily losing track of details.

Example

"My grandfather has become slightly more forgetful in recent years, so he writes all his appointments on a wall calendar."

2

Failing to give proper care, attention, or thought to one's duties or obligations (usually followed by 'of').

Example

"Immersed in his research, the scholar grew forgetful of his promise to attend the evening banquet."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for forgetful

• Nearby Words

forgery
forget
forget-me-not
forgetful
forgetfully
forgetfulness
forgettable

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old English forgitol ('apt to forget'), altered in Middle English to forgetel and later reshaped with the suffix -ful. The base verb forget derives from a Germanic compound meaning 'to lose one's grip on' (for- 'away' + getan 'to grasp').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Forgetful. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/forgetful
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