FORGETFUL

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does forgetful mean? 

• FORGETFUL (adjective)
  The adjective FORGETFUL has 3 senses:

1. (of memory) deficient in retentiveness or range

2. not mindful or attentive

3. failing to keep in mind

  Familiarity information: FORGETFUL used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FORGETFUL (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(of memory) deficient in retentiveness or range

Synonyms:

forgetful; short; unretentive

Context example:

a short memory

Also:

forgetful; mindless; unmindful (not mindful or attentive)

Derivation:

forgetfulness (tendency to forget)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Not mindful or attentive

Synonyms:

forgetful; mindless; unmindful

Context example:

while thus unmindful of his steps he stumbled

Similar:

amnesiac; amnesic (suffering from a partial loss of memory)

Attribute:

heedfulness; mindfulness (the trait of staying aware of (paying close attention to) your responsibilities)

Derivation:

forgetfulness (unawareness caused by neglectful or heedless failure to remember)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Failing to keep in mind

Synonyms:

forgetful; oblivious

Context example:

oblivious old age

Similar:

inattentive (showing a lack of attention or care)

Derivation:

forgetfulness (unawareness caused by neglectful or heedless failure to remember)

 Context examples 

Oh, Madam Mina, he said, dear, dear Madam Mina, alas! that I of all who so reverence you should have said anything so forgetful.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

You might have had computer problems or become forgetful and lost track of information because you were so busy.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

He chanced upon a volume of Swinburne and began reading steadily, forgetful of where he was, his face glowing.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

White Fang came in until he touched Grey Beaver's knee, so curious was he, and already forgetful that this was a terrible man-animal.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

How can you be so forgetful?

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

All the little duties were faithfully done each day, and many of her sisters' also, for they were forgetful, and the house seemed like a clock whose pendulum was gone a-visiting.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

She took it, however, as she spoke, and the gratification of having her do so, of feeling such a connexion for the first time, made him a little forgetful of Fanny.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

She was so devoted, she had such a quick perception of what it would be well to say, and what it would be well to leave unsaid; she was so forgetful of herself, and so regardful of the sorrow about her, that I held her in a sort of veneration.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Truly she was my woman, my mate-woman, fighting with me and for me as the mate of a caveman would have fought, all the primitive in her aroused, forgetful of her culture, hard under the softening civilization of the only life she had ever known.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

He was surprised at his weariness when he got into his room, forgetful of the fact that he had been on his feet and working without let up for fourteen hours.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)