Word
forgetful
Phoneticsfor·get·ful, stress on the second syllable
US/fɝˈɡɛtfəɫ/
UK/fəɡˈɛtfəl/
Definition
adj. having a poor memory or often losing things. You use this to describe someone who cannot remember where they put their keys or what they were going to say.
adj. characterised by a tendency to lose things or forget information. Often used to describe a person's cognitive state or a specific memory-related error.
Examples
“He is very forgetful and always loses his glasses.”
“The forgetful student left his textbook at home and had to borrow one from a classmate.”
“While the software is designed to be intuitive, even the most forgetful users should find the recovery process straightforward if they follow the on-screen prompts.”
Examples
simple
“He is very forgetful and always loses his glasses.”
contextual
“The forgetful student left his textbook at home and had to borrow one from a classmate.”
complex
“While the software is designed to be intuitive, even the most forgetful users should find the recovery process straightforward if they follow the on-screen prompts.”
Etymology
From Middle English forgetful, forȝetful (suggested by derivative forgetfulnesse, forȝetfulnesse (“forgetfulness”)), equivalent to forget + -ful.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/forgetful