forget
fuh-GEHT
Forget (verb) means to fail to remember something. Example: “Please don't forget that the library closes early on Saturdays.”
verb
1
To fail to remember something.
"Please don't forget that the library closes early on Saturdays."
"I always forget where I put my keys."
"Don't forget to call your mother tonight."
2
To accidentally leave something behind.
"I forgot my phone charger at the hotel and had to go back."
"Whenever she travels, she forgets her scarf somewhere along the way."
"He forgot his umbrella on the train."
How to use forget
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo lose track of something in your memory, or to leave something behind by accident.
Common pairings
forget to do something
never forget
forget about it
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- forgets
- Past tense
- forgot, forgat, forgotten
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please don't _____ that the library closes early on Saturdays.
Etymology
From Old English forġietan, from for- + get — literally "to give up (a memory)."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “forget” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “forget”?
“Forget” is pronounced fuh-GEHT (/fɚˈɡɛt/ in IPA).
How do you use “forget” in a sentence?
Here is “forget” used in a sentence: “I always forget where I put my keys.”
What is another word for “forget”?
Words with a similar meaning to “forget” include obliviate, overlook, pass over and disremember.
What is the opposite of “forget”?
The opposite of “forget” — its antonyms — are acquire, learn, mind, recall and recollect.
What part of speech is “forget”?
“Forget” is a verb.
Where does the word “forget” come from?
The word “forget” comes from Old English. From Old English forġietan, from for- + get — literally "to give up (a memory).".
Is “forget” a common word?
“Forget” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'forget' and 'remember'?
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.
Why do we forget things?
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.
What is the opposite of forget?
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.
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