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

• forgettable adjective
• forgetter noun
• 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

It’s something we all know … but when broadcasters come out of commercial breaks showing the betting lines before the score, it’s easy to forget.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

And don’t forget about Santa Margarita’s hard-hitting defense.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"You're going to start saying 'Oh, I'm 46, I won't do as well!' I don't want that. If you want to win, and you want to keep producing the goods, then forget age."

Read more on BBC

"With tears in my eyes, I said it to the midwife 'I forgot to water the roses'," she said.

Read more on BBC

Thompson says these short breaks help her cope with the tiny losses that hit unexpectedly, such as the time her mom forgot that she loved coffee.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• fail 
• ignore 
• neglect 
• overlook 
• skip