Lethe

American  

[lee-thee] / ˈli θi /

noun

1. Classical Mythology. a river in Hades whose water caused forgetfulness of the past in those who drank of it.

2. (usually lowercase) forgetfulness; oblivion.

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Lethe British  

/ ˈliːθɪ, lɪˈθiːən /

noun

1. Greek myth a river in Hades that caused forgetfulness in those who drank its waters

2. forgetfulness

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Lethe Cultural  

1. In classical mythology, a river flowing through Hades. The souls of the dead were forced to drink of its waters, which made them forget what they had done, said, and suffered when they were alive.

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Other Word Forms

• Lethean adjective
• Lethied adjective

Etymology

Origin of Lethe

< Latin < Greek, special use of lḗthē forgetfulness, akin to lanthánesthai to forget

Example Sentences

The team designated it a new species, Nanotyrannus lethaeus, referencing the River Lethe from Greek mythology -- a fitting tribute to a species "forgotten" for decades.

From Science Daily • Nov. 2, 2025

So John Gradus is a journeyer in his own right, learning where he went wrong in life to reach the Lethe and reincarnate.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2025

In this alt-Yale, Lethe is charged with regulating the magic practiced at the eight most powerful of Yale’s famous secret societies, known here as the Ancient Eight or the Houses of the Veil.

From New York Times • Oct. 3, 2019

But Sarah Ruhl's writing does not translate well across the pond – or over Lethe.

From The Guardian • May 8, 2010

“No, dear friend; this journey belongs to me. One who dies must cross the river Lethe alone. And though I live still, from this world I must be gone.”

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Related Words

• inattention