forget

[fer-get]

verb (used with object)

forgot , forgat, forgotten, forgot, forgetting. .

1. to cease or fail to remember; be unable to recall.

   to forget someone's name.

2. to omit or neglect unintentionally.

   I forgot to shut the window before leaving.

3. to leave behind unintentionally; neglect to take.

   to forget one's keys.

4. to omit mentioning; leave unnoticed.

5. to fail to think of; take no note of.

6. to neglect willfully; disregard or slight.

verb (used without object)

forgot , forgat, forgotten, forgot, forgetting. .

1. to cease or omit to think of something.

forget

/ fəˈɡɛt /

verb

1. (when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to fail to recall (someone or something once known); be unable to remember

2. (tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to neglect, usually as the result of an unintentional error

3. (tr) to leave behind by mistake

4. (tr) to disregard intentionally

5. (when tr, may take a clause as object) to fail to mention

6. 1. to act in an improper manner

   2. to be unselfish

   3. to be deep in thought

7. an exclamation of annoyed or forgiving dismissal of a matter or topic

Usage

Both forgot and forgotten are used as the past participle of forget : Many have already forgot (or forgotten ) the hard times of the Depression. Only forgotten is used attributively: half-forgotten memories.

Other Word Forms

• forgetter noun
• forgettable adjective
• unforgetting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forget¹

First recorded before 900; for- + get; replacing Middle English foryeten, Old English forg(i)etan; cognate with Old Saxon fargetan, Old High German firgezzan

Word History and Origins

Origin of forget¹

Old English forgietan ; related to Old Frisian forgeta , Old Saxon fargetan , Old High German firgezzan

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. forget oneself, to say or do something improper or unbefitting one's rank, position, or character.

More idioms and phrases containing forget

• forgive and forget

Example Sentences

Every detail is thoughtfully curated for one hell of an experience you won’t forget.

From Salon

Not that he has forgotten his old teams, as a large cutout of Gibson celebrating in a Detroit Tigers uniform can be found in the center.

From Los Angeles Times

She and her late husband, Tazi, became aware that despite the sacrifices of Muslims like her father, there was no memorial - and their contribution was at risk of being forgotten.

From BBC

You forget a little bit about everything else happening around you.

From BBC

If we can make people forget their differences with a bit of humor, that’s a home run in my book.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fail 
• ignore 
• neglect 
• overlook 
• skip