forgetful

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

Synonyms of forgetful

• preoccupied
• confused
• absentminded
• oblivious
• bewildered

Examples of forgetful in a Sentence

He became forgetful in his old age.

we become more forgetful as we get older

Recent Examples on the Web

Marty is self-absorbed, forgetful, doesn’t much like people and spends hours online looking for advice about how to be a handyman. —Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2026

In Plato’s Phaedrus, Socrates worries that books, unlike oral traditions, will make people more forgetful. —Tim Brinkhof, Big Think, 3 Mar. 2026

Lucky for the forgetful reader who checked out the book, the library got rid of overdue fines in 2021, so they won’t be charged a dime. —Saul Pink, San Antonio Express-News, 8 Feb. 2026

In those early scenes of Home Alone, O’Hara is not just an avatar for a forgetful, imperfect mother. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 30 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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