verb
forget
fur-GET/fərˈɡet/
To cease holding something in one's awareness or memory.
The person has forgotten the lunch bag still sitting on the kitchen counter.
Etymology
With for- probably reversing the idea of grasping, forget suggests losing one's mental grip on something. This is an inferred image: a literal physical sense of losing one's grip is not recorded.
In context
It's funny the things you forget.
I'll never forget. He was sitting in this chair.
More examples
- Don't forget to lock the door.
- She forgot where she parked her car.
- A good book helps me forget my worries.
Forms
forget · forgets · forgot · forgotten · forgetting
forgetful adjective — Often unable to remember ordinary things.
forgetfulness noun — A tendency to fail to remember.
Similar words
- overlook
- Means failing to notice something, not losing a memory.
- neglect
- Emphasizes failing to give something needed attention or care.