Forgetting

/fərˈɡɛtɪŋ/

verbBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The act of losing the ability to recall information or experiences.

/fərˈɡɛtɪŋ/

verbneutralBeginner
General

The act of failing to remember something.

I am constantly forgetting where I put my phone.

💡 Simply: It's like when you can't remember something, like where you put your keys. You're forgetting!

👶 For kids: When you can't remember something, like where you put your toy.

More Examples

2

He was forgetting the lyrics to the song.

3

Are you forgetting your manners?

How It's Used

Everyday conversation

"She was forgetting where she parked her car."

Literary

"He felt the past slowly forgetting him."

Psychology

"Forgetting is a natural part of memory processes."

2

The act of putting something out of one's mind or no longer paying attention to it.

/fərˈɡɛtɪŋ/

verbneutralmedium
General

The act of ceasing to consider or be concerned about something.

We should forget about the problem and focus on the solution.

💡 Simply: It means to stop thinking or worrying about something. Like, 'Let's forget about the bad weather and have fun!'

👶 For kids: When you stop thinking about something, like when you're not sad anymore.

More Examples

2

Try to forget your worries and relax.

3

She was trying to forget her old life.

How It's Used

Informal conversation

"Let's just forget about the argument and move on."

Psychological

"She was trying to forget the traumatic event."

Tip:Imagine throwing a thought into a mental trash can.

From Middle English *forgeten*, from Old English *forġietan* ('to forget'), from Proto-Germanic *fragetaną* ('to forget'), from *fra-* ('away, forth') + *getaną* ('to grasp').

The word 'forgetting' has been used since Old English times, showing a consistent core meaning related to memory loss.

Memory tip

Imagine a fuzzy memory getting erased.

forgetingforgitting

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written