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 victim's son had said that his friends and neighbors in Alaska, where the victim was living prior to moving back to Pittsburgh, described him as forgetful and were concerned about his mental state. —Patrick Damp, CBS News, 13 May 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

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

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