forgetful

[ fer-get-fuhl ]

adjective

1. apt to forget; that forgets:

   a forgetful person.

   Synonyms: unmindful, inattentive, absent-minded

2. heedless or neglectful (often followed by of ):

   to be forgetful of others.

3. bringing on oblivion:

   forgetful slumber.

forgetful

/ fəˈɡɛtfʊl /

adjective

1. tending to forget
2. often postpositivefoll byof inattentive (to) or neglectful (of)
3. poetic.
   causing loss of memory

Derived Forms

• forˈgetfully, adverb
• forˈgetfulness, noun

Other Words From

• for·getful·ly adverb
• for·getful·ness noun
• quasi-for·getful adjective
• quasi-for·getful·ly adverb
• unfor·getful adjective
• unfor·getful·ly adverb
• unfor·getful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of forgetful¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; forget, -ful

Example Sentences

Some offer massive power storage, while others offer built-in conveniences like built-in charging cables in case you’re the forgetful type.

From Popular-Science

You can plug it directly into any iPhone with a modern connector, which really comes in handy if you’re forgetful or you hate trying to coil up a long cable to cram into your bag.

From Popular-Science

When mice of a certain age become forgetful, they spend more time checking out little trinkets they’ve seen before—objects that should warrant only a quick “Oh yeah, that thing again” glance.

From Popular-Science

The internal obstacles that commonly prevent change—the tendency to give into temptation, to be lazy, to be forgetful, to experience self-doubt, and so on—are surmountable.

From Time

For kidsChildren can be forgetful and finicky, with likes and dislikes that seem to change on a whim.

From Popular-Science

No one would confuse him the taciturn, forgetful and vengeful Senate Majority Leader.

From The Daily Beast

But in so doing he appeared to be either forgetful of or intemperate towards a sizeable chunk of his own governing coalition.

From The Daily Beast

Dylan also appeared, at the first concert, as the harmonica soloist on “Forgetful Heart,” but in a wholly different register.

From The Daily Beast

His action was simply the action of a strong, business-like, and patriotic man, forgetful of finesse.

From Project Gutenberg

Instead of being confiding and happy, she seemed listless, forgetful, and nervous.

From Project Gutenberg

Amazed, forgetful of their discomfort, the girls listened while the throbbing, haunting melody wailed itself to a close.

From Project Gutenberg

When Mysie reached her room, she sat down to think matters over for herself, forgetful of the fact that she was wet.

From Project Gutenberg

For a long time she sat brooding, forgetful of the present and of the little comedy of elderly lovers going on inside the house.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• careless
• distracted
• inattentive
• sloppy