forgotten

American  

[fer-got-n] / fərˈgɒt n /

verb

1. a past participle of forget.

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forgotten British  

/ fəˈɡɒtən /

verb

1. a past participle of forget

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Usage

See forget.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• well-forgotten
  adjective
• unforgotten
  adjective
• half-forgotten
  adjective
• quasi-forgotten
  adjective

Explanation

Something that's forgotten isn't remembered or considered. Your forgotten mail might sit in the mailbox all weekend, if you simply don't think about it. Your English teacher might reassure you that the bad grade you got on a paper last month is forgotten, and you could find that as you start reading a great book, your difficult day is forgotten. In both cases, something is overlooked, disregarded or erased from memory. Forgotten comes from forget, from the Old English forgietan, "fail to remember" or "neglect inadvertently."

Example Sentences

After decades of feeling like the forgotten stepsisters of marketers, some CCOs are even moving up and into bigger roles that companies have long filled with finance and operations executives.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

"We also very humbly thank them for their selfless and dedicated service and know they will never be forgotten."

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

But the latest allegations have renewed concerns that department may have forgotten the lessons of past controversies involving officers conducting improper stops and searches.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

The guarantee clause has a long but often forgotten history linked to the pursuit of inclusive democracy.

From Slate • Jun. 3, 2026

Mama was always cooking up nourishing broths and porridges for forgotten old men and pale young mothers—on days, that is, when she herself was strong enough to stand at the stove.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom