English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
noun Common

forgetting

fuh-GEH-tihng
Quiz me More like this

Forgetting (noun) means the mental process of losing a memory. Example: “Sleep helps with learning, but forgetting also plays a useful part.”

noun
1
The mental process of losing a memory.
"Sleep helps with learning, but forgetting also plays a useful part."
"Some scientists study forgetting to understand why old memories slowly fade."
"Forgetting is a normal part of how memory works."

How to use forgetting

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe act or process of no longer remembering something.

Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like forgetting.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice

Word forms

Plural
forgettings
Test yourself on “forgetting” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Sleep helps with learning, but _____ also plays a useful part.

Related words

Rhymes for forgetting

See all rhymes for forgetting →

Frequently asked questions

What does “forgetting” mean?
The word “forgetting” means the mental process of losing a memory. In plain terms, the act or process of no longer remembering something.
How do you pronounce “forgetting”?
“Forgetting” is pronounced fuh-GEH-tihng (/fɚˈɡɛtɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “forgetting” in a sentence?
Here is “forgetting” used in a sentence: “Forgetting is a normal part of how memory works.”
What part of speech is “forgetting”?
“Forgetting” is a noun.
Is “forgetting” a common word?
“Forgetting” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between forgetting and forgetfulness?
Forgetting is the process or act of losing a particular memory, while forgetfulness is the general tendency or trait of frequently forgetting things. You might describe the forgetting of a specific name, but forgetfulness is a lasting personal characteristic.
What is the difference between forgetting and forgetful?
Forgetting is a noun and verb form describing the act of losing a memory, while forgetful is an adjective describing a person who often forgets. In short, a forgetful person does a lot of forgetting.
What is the opposite of forgetting?
The opposite of forgetting is remembering or recalling, the mental process of bringing a memory back to mind. Retention, meaning keeping a memory over time, is also contrasted with forgetting.
What preposition follows forgetting?
As a gerund, forgetting is usually followed by "about" or by a direct object, as in forgetting about the meeting or forgetting his name. In its noun sense it can take "of," as in the forgetting of past events.

Featured in

People also searched