self-forgetful

[ self-fer-get-fuhl, self- ]

adjective

1. forgetful or not thinking of one's own advantage, interest, etc.

self-forgetful

adjective

1. forgetful of one's own interests

Derived Forms

• ˌself-forˈgetfulness, noun
• ˌself-forˈgetfully, adverb

Other Words From

• self-for·getful·ly adverb
• self-for·getful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-forgetful¹

First recorded in 1860–65

Example Sentences

The girl, momentarily self-forgetful, is absorbed in her process, “hunkered over her drawing pad, / humming, for an hour.”

From The New Yorker

Levé’s nonlinear stream of recollections about his friend denies the reader the self-forgetful pleasure of the traditional novel: that of entering another world, elaborate yet comprehensible.

From Salon

Both try to achieve a joyous, self-forgetful involvement through concentration, which, in turn, is made possible through discipline of body.”

From Forbes

He thrusts his hips quickly, his face expressing nothing but self-forgetful pleasure.

From Salon

There's a precision and inevitability of movement from line to line which seem self-forgetful.

From The Guardian