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forget
/fəˈɡɛt/
fail to remember
I always forget where I put my keys.
This means the speaker often can't recall the location of their keys.
general
To fail to remember something or someone.
She tends to forget appointments if she doesn't write them down.
This shows that she often doesn't remember scheduled events without reminders.
Don't forget to call your mother.
This is a reminder to remember to make a phone call.
Can be used in both the literal and figurative sense.
figurative
To intentionally overlook or disregard something.
He chose to forget the argument they had.
This means he decided not to dwell on the conflict.
Often used when someone chooses to ignore past events or feelings.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Mistakes
Avoid using 'forget' with 'of' (e.g., 'forget of' is incorrect; use 'forget about').
Gold Rule
Transitive vs. Intransitive
'Forget' can be transitive (e.g., 'I forgot my keys') or intransitive (e.g., 'I forget easily').
Word Origin
From Middle English 'forgeten', from Old English 'forgietan', from Proto-Germanic 'fragétan' (to forget), from Proto-Indo-European 'bʰeg-' (to lack, fail).
Usage Notes
Can be used in both transitive and intransitive forms. Often followed by 'about' or 'to' in collocations.
Word Breakdown
for-
intensifier or negation
prefix-get
to grasp or understand
rootEnglish Dictionary