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

The company designed the ring not for the peace of mind of forgetful people like me but because, Oura says, one in 10 users have already bought a spare charger, perhaps so there’s always one your desk at work, for instance. —David Phelan, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026

Now 82 years old, Chase comes off as a surly, forgetful man. —Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026

In addition to Gould, the movie also starred the voices of Albert Brooks as Nemo's father Marlin, Willem Dafoe as Gill and Ellen DeGeneres as the forgetful blue tang fish Dory. —Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 30 Dec. 2025

So, Marlin teams up with a forgetful new friend (Ellen DeGeneres) to bring his son home. —Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Dec. 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