forgetful

adjective

for·​get·​ful fər-ˈget-fəl 

fȯr-

1

: likely to forget

2

: characterized by negligent failure to remember : neglectful

3

: inducing oblivion

forgetful sleep

forgetfully

fər-ˈget-fə-lē 

fȯr-

adverb

forgetfulness noun

Synonyms

• absentminded

Examples of forgetful in a Sentence

He became forgetful in his old age.

we become more forgetful as we get older

Recent Examples on the Web

Plus, people can be forgetful and seem to lose memories that were once in their heads. —Lance Eliot, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025

Higher-elevation birds failed to predict where the food would be each day, unlike some of the more forgetful birds from lower elevations. —Matthew Hutson, The New Yorker, 29 Dec. 2024

Designed with advanced natural language processing and a touch of humor, Daisy mimics the speech patterns and demeanor of a kind, slightly forgetful elderly woman. —Lars Daniel, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

There are five heat settings and a 3-hour auto safety shut-off for both fickle and forgetful teens. —Chaunie Brusie, Rn, Parents, 19 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing forgetful

• forgetful of
• self-forgetful

Kids Definition

forgetful

adjective

for·​get·​ful fər-ˈget-fəl 

fȯr-

: forgetting easily

forgetfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

forgetfulness noun