forgetful

1 of 2

adjective

for·​get·​ful fər-ˈget-fəl 

fȯr-

1

: likely to forget

2

: characterized by negligent failure to remember : neglectful

3

: inducing oblivion

forgetful sleep

forgetfully

fər-ˈget-fə-lē 

fȯr-

adverb

forgetfulness noun

forgetfulness

2 of 2

noun

for·​get·​ful·​ness

plural -es

: the act or state of being forgetful

Synonyms of forgetful

Adjective

• preoccupied
• confused
• absentminded
• oblivious
• bewildered

Examples of forgetful in a Sentence

Adjective

He became forgetful in his old age.

we become more forgetful as we get older

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

What are the most forgetful cities? — Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 June 2026

Ranking above Chicago as most forgetful cities are Miami and New York. — Sara Tenenbaum, CBS News, 2 June 2026

What also follows is a useless debate over the cultural impact of the movie amid concerns that the film is a little loose with the truth or outright forgetful about key moments of Jackson’s complex and complicated life. — Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026

Meanwhile, Wilson’s wife shared a meme appearing to compare MacInnes to Dory, the forgetful fish in the Pixar movies, and this was submitted to the court. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English forgetfulnesse, foryetfulnesse, from forgetful, foryetful + -nesse -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing forgetful

• forgetful of
• self-forgetful

Rhymes for forgetful

• regretful
• fretful

Kids Definition

forgetful

adjective

for·​get·​ful fər-ˈget-fəl 

fȯr-

: forgetting easily

forgetfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

forgetfulness noun