forgetfully
|for-get-ful-ly|
🇺🇸
/fɚˈɡɛtfəl/
🇬🇧
/fəˈɡetf(ə)l/
(forgetful)
tendency to forget
Etymology
'forgetful' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'forgietan' (verb), where the prefix 'for-' meant 'completely' and the root 'gietan' meant 'to get or seize'.
'forget' changed from the Old English word 'forgietan' and passed into Middle English (forms such as 'forgeten'), eventually becoming the modern English word 'forget'.
Initially, it meant 'to fail to remember or to lose memory of', and over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to be unable to recall or to fail to keep in mind'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a forgetful manner; showing a tendency to forget things
She stared forgetfully at the empty shelf, trying to remember where she had put the book.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/28 09:29