forgetful

USAGE SUMMARY

"forgetful" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has an inability to remember or retain information. For example, "Samantha's forgetful nature sometimes gets her into trouble, as she often forgets to do her homework."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My aunt is in her late 70s and is becoming more forgetful.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A country that can't hire enough auditors to keep up with business taxes is also unlikely to pay enough people to sift through databases of tax IDs from registered receipts that live, crumpled, in the pockets of forgetful citizens.

The Guardian - Money

It doesn't mean they love them any less, it just makes them a bit forgetful sometimes.

The Guardian

At no stage had Tony Blair or his government seemed in control of events.Self-congratulation about the maturity of the British people and their political system was, in retrospect, rather forgetful.

The Economist

Sufferers typically start off mildly forgetful and confused, then become increasingly disabled, both mentally and physically, and eventually die, on average, about seven years after the initial diagnosis.

The Economist

But more substantial sums than this are left lying in Britain's bank accounts, unclaimed by forgetful, careless, or deceased depositors.

The Economist

An app was created for both Android and iPhones and there are now 50,000 downloads a month (for the forgetful, the password hint is "favourite strain").

The Economist

Four times a week will suffice, so the forgetful are not at risk, as was once feared.That matters, because many gay activists were suspicious that people might take Truvada insufficiently regularly and, at the same time, scale back on other precautions, thus exposing themselves to risk.

The Economist

Her husband claims she has been there for medical treatment, for a rare condition that "makes her forgetful".

The Economist

Whereas America had a finely tuned system of government that was more than capable of carrying a forgetful president in the right direction, Russia has nothing of the sort.

The Economist

China has never formally controlled the Senkakus, and for most Japanese, blithely forgetful of their country's rapacious, imperial past, possession is nine-tenths of the law.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "forgetful", provide context or specific examples to illustrate the extent and impact of their forgetfulness. This adds clarity and depth to your description.

Common error

Avoid assuming that occasional forgetfulness is a sign of a serious cognitive issue. Everyone forgets things sometimes; distinguish between normal lapses and significant memory problems.

Linguistic Context

The word "forgetful" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe someone or something with a tendency to forget things. Ludwig AI confirms this, showcasing its descriptive role in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

According to Ludwig, the adjective "forgetful" is grammatically correct and very common, primarily used to describe someone prone to forgetting things. Its function is descriptive, and it maintains a neutral register, suitable for various contexts including news, encyclopedias and scientific publications. Common synonyms include "absent-minded", "unmindful", and "oblivious", each with slightly different nuances. Use "forgetful" to clearly convey a lack of memory, but always consider the context and avoid insensitive implications when describing cognitive abilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absent-minded

Implies a general inattentiveness and a tendency to forget things.

liable to forget

Highlights the probability of forgetting things.

prone to forgetting

Similar to 'liable to forget', emphasizing a tendency to forget.

unmindful

Suggests a lack of awareness or attention, leading to forgetfulness.

oblivious

Indicates a lack of awareness, often resulting in forgetting details.

short-term memory loss

Specifically refers to difficulty in recalling recent events or information.

failing memory

Describes a gradual decline in memory function.

poor retention

Emphasizes the inability to retain information effectively.

difficulty remembering

Highlights the struggle to recall information.

lapse of memory

Refers to a temporary failure to remember something.

FAQs

How can I use "forgetful" in a sentence?

You can use "forgetful" to describe someone who often forgets things, like "My grandfather is becoming more "forgetful" as he gets older."

What are some synonyms for "forgetful"?

Alternatives to "forgetful" include "absent-minded", "unmindful", or "oblivious", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe someone as "forgetful"?

Yes, it is generally acceptable to describe someone as "forgetful", but be mindful of the context and avoid using it in a derogatory or insensitive way, especially when discussing cognitive decline or medical conditions.

What's the difference between "forgetful" and "negligent"?

"Forgetful" implies a lack of memory or recall, while "negligent" suggests a failure to take proper care or attention. A "forgetful" person might simply forget to do something, while a "negligent" person is careless or irresponsible.