forget

The word “forget” means to fail to remember something. In plain terms, to lose track of something in your memory, or to leave something behind by accident.

“Forget” is pronounced fuh-GEHT (/fɚˈɡɛt/ in IPA).

Here is “forget” used in a sentence: “I always forget where I put my keys.”

Words with a similar meaning to “forget” include obliviate, overlook, pass over and disremember.

The opposite of “forget” — its antonyms — are acquire, learn, mind, recall and recollect.

“Forget” is a verb.

The word “forget” comes from Old English. From Old English forġietan, from for- + get — literally "to give up (a memory).".

“Forget” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

To remember is to keep or bring something back into your mind, while to forget is to lose it from memory and fail to recall it. They are direct opposites describing the same mental process from two sides. You remember a name when it stays with you and forget it when it slips away.

We forget for several reasons. Some memories fade simply because time passes and they go unused. Others are crowded out when new information interferes with old. Sometimes a memory was never stored properly because we were not paying attention. Forgetting is normal and even helps the brain clear away unneeded detail.

The main opposite of "forget" is "remember," meaning to hold something in your mind or bring it back to mind. Related opposites include "recall," "recollect," and "retain," each stressing keeping or retrieving information. Where forgetting is losing a memory, all of these describe successfully keeping or recovering it.