absentminded

1 lost in thought and unaware of one's surroundings or actions the grieving woman was so absentminded that she left her key in the lock after opening the door Synonyms absent, abstracted, distracted, preoccupied Related Words absorbed, daydreaming, dreaming, dreamy, engrossed, faraway, intent, pensive, rapt; heedless, inattentive, insensible, oblivious, unaware, unconscious, unheeding, unknowing, unmindful, unperceptive, unthinking, unwary, unwitting, vacant; befogged, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, birdbrained, clueless, confused, dazed, flighty, foggy, forgetful, forgetting, hazy, muddled, scatterbrained, unfocused (also unfocussed) Near Antonyms alive, attentive, aware, conscious, engaged, heads-up, heedful, mindful, observant, observing, open-eyed, sharp, vigilant, wary, watchful, wide-awake; clearheaded, unconfused Antonyms alert

2 inclined to forget what one has learned or to do what one should an absentminded aunt who some years sends me two birthday checks Synonyms forgetfulRelated Words absent, abstracted, lost, oblivious, preoccupied, unmindful; amnesiac (or amnesic), senile; befogged, befuddled, bemused, bewildered, confused, dazed, muddled, scatterbrained, unfocused (also unfocussed); lax, neglectful, negligent, remiss, slack; careless, heedless, inconsiderate, thoughtless; inattentive, insensible, unaware, unconscious, unheeding, unknowing, unperceptive, unthinkingNear Antonyms alert, attentive, awake, keen, open-eyed, sharp, vigilant, watchful, wide-awake; careful, cautious, circumspect, conscientious, heedful, thoughtful, waryAntonyms retentive