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

• absentminded

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

Rather than trying to navigate life with messy and forgetful parent or being shuttled off to yet another activity as might happen in the other two types of families. —Kara Nesvig, Parents, 5 May 2025

The forgetful habit of misplacing or losing essential belongings is a universal experience, resulting in an average person losing approximately four items a month and more than 3,000 in their lifetime. —Ethan Stone, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025

New York took the top spot as the most forgetful, followed by Miami and Chicago. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Apr. 2025

Any panicked, forgetful partners can always make a quick stop at a local flower shop to pick up a boutique of traditional roses, including at Flowerama in Mundelein, where Valentine’s sales account for half of the shop’s yearly business. —Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025

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