forget

[ fer-get ]

verb (used with object)

, for·got or (Archaic) for·gat [fer-, gat]; for·got·ten [fer-, got, -n] or for·got; for·get·ting.

1. to cease or fail to remember; be unable to recall:

   to forget someone's name.

2. to omit or neglect unintentionally:

   I forgot to shut the window before leaving.

3. to leave behind unintentionally; neglect to take:

   to forget one's keys.

4. to omit mentioning; leave unnoticed.
5. to fail to think of; take no note of.
6. to neglect willfully; disregard or slight.

verb (used without object)

, for·got or (Archaic) for·gat [fer-, gat]; for·got·ten [fer-, got, -n] or for·got; for·get·ting.

1. to cease or omit to think of something.

forget

/ fəˈɡɛt /

verb

1. when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive to fail to recall (someone or something once known); be unable to remember
2. tr; may take a clause as object or an infinitive to neglect, usually as the result of an unintentional error
3. tr to leave behind by mistake
4. tr to disregard intentionally
5. when tr, may take a clause as object to fail to mention
6. forget oneself
   1. to act in an improper manner
   2. to be unselfish
   3. to be deep in thought
7. forget it!
   an exclamation of annoyed or forgiving dismissal of a matter or topic

Usage Note

Both forgot and forgotten are used as the past participle of forget : Many have already forgot (or forgotten ) the hard times of the Depression. Only forgotten is used attributively: half-forgotten memories.

Derived Forms

• forˈgetter, noun
• forˈgettable, adjective

Other Words From

• for·getta·ble adjective
• for·getter noun
• unfor·getting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of forget¹

First recorded before 900; for- + get; replacing Middle English foryeten, Old English forg(i)etan; cognate with Old Saxon fargetan, Old High German firgezzan

Word History and Origins

Origin of forget¹

Old English forgietan ; related to Old Frisian forgeta , Old Saxon fargetan , Old High German firgezzan

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. forget oneself, to say or do something improper or unbefitting one's rank, position, or character.

More idioms and phrases containing forget

In addition to the idiom beginning with forget , also see forgive and forget .

Example Sentences

The plan is to stretch it out as long as possible, then probably forget about it, and then suddenly remember it.

From The Daily Beast

And for those on the Palestinian right who still dream of driving the Jews into the sea, they too can forget it.

From The Daily Beast

But for those on the Israeli right who are hoping that this deferred dream will just fade away, they can forget it.

From The Daily Beast

If we go another year without doing one people will just forget what it was.

From The Daily Beast

Forget those silly “games played with the ball”; they are far “too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind.”

From The Daily Beast

On the morning after Ramona's disappearance, words had been spoken by each which neither would ever forget.

From Project Gutenberg

Alone Orlean lay trying vainly to forget something—something that stood like a spectre before her eyes.

From Project Gutenberg

Forget it not: for there is no returning, and thou shalt do him no good, and shalt hurt thyself.

From Project Gutenberg

She would never forget it; but realizing its gravity, she decided thereupon never to tell it—the dream—to anybody.

From Project Gutenberg

She would sometimes gather them passionately to her heart; she would sometimes forget them.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fail
• ignore
• neglect
• overlook
• skip