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forget

/fərˈgɛt/
/fəˈgɛt/
IPA guide

Other forms: forgotten; forgot; forgetting; forgets

When you forget something, you can't recall or remember it. An actor who forgets his lines might need some helpful cues from the other actors on stage.

You might forget on online password, or forget to return your library books. You can also deliberately forget something: "I've decided to forget about becoming rich and famous and focus on what I like to do." When you accidentally leave something behind, like your umbrella, you also forget it. The Old English root of forget is forgietan, "fail to remember or neglect inadvertently."

Definitions of forget
  1. verb
    dismiss from the mind; stop remembering
    synonyms: bury
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    remember
    keep in mind for attention or consideration
    types:
    unlearn
    try to forget; put out of one's memory or knowledge
    repress, suppress
    put out of one's consciousness
    swallow
    keep from expressing
  2. verb
    be unable to remember
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    remember
    recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection
    types:
    slip, slip one's mind
    pass out of one's memory
  3. verb
    forget to do something
    “Don't forget to call the chairman of the board to the meeting!”
    see moresee less
    antonyms:
    mind
    keep in mind
    type of:
    drop, leave out, miss, neglect, omit, overleap, overlook, pretermit
    leave undone or leave out
  4. verb
    leave behind unintentionally
    “I forgot my umbrella in the restaurant”
    synonyms: leave
    leave
    go and leave behind, either intentionally or by neglect or forgetfulness
    see moresee less
    type of:
    lose
    miss from one's possessions; lose sight of
Pronunciation
US
/fərˈgɛt/
UK
/fəˈgɛt/
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DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘forget'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
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