forgetful
Americanadjective
-
a forgetful person.
- Synonyms:
- unmindful, inattentive, absent-minded
-
heedless or neglectful (often followed byof ).
to be forgetful of others.
-
bringing on oblivion.
forgetful slumber.
adjective
-
tending to forget
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inattentive (to) or neglectful (of)
-
poetic causing loss of memory
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of forgetful
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at forget, -ful
Explanation
To be forgetful is to be absentminded. When you're forgetful, things tend to slip your mind. People can be forgetful if they really can’t remember things, or if they’re just not paying attention. When you're forgetful, you forget all kinds of things! A forgetful person misses deadlines and forgets about their spouse's anniversary. Forgetful people are often spacy and careless; they're not mindful of what they should be doing. A forgetful gardener might forget to water the plants and go for a walk instead. If you’re late, you’re forgetful of the time. If you’re forgetful, don’t get a pet. Even goldfish need attention!
Vocabulary lists containing forgetful
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Have you ever slept next to a snoring partner and woken up feeling stressed, unfocused or forgetful the next day?
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026
"I feel like my brain is working in slow motion, I tend to become clumsy and way more forgetful," she says.
From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026
K Callan, the actor, is having a moment, showered with praise fo her turn as Ruth, the forgetful secretary to Matthew Rhys’ Mayor Tom Loftis, in Apple TV‘s hit horror quasi-comedy “Widow’s Bay.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026
He’s raced to find ivory shoes for a forgetful groomsman and led a prayer to calm a jittery future husband.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 19, 2026
This would make the Coiling Dragon forgetful of Bing.
From "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
