forget

past tense forgot past participle forgotten verb

1 FACTS/INFORMATION (I, T) to be unable to remember facts, information, or something that happened in the past: I'm sorry, I've forgotten your name.

(+ (that)): Don't forget that it's Sarah's birthday on Tuesday. (+ about): Charles seems to have forgotten about what happened. (+ how/what/when/why etc): Natalie managed to forget where she'd parked the car.

2 STH YOU MUST DO to not remember to do something that you have to do: “Did you remember to post that letter?” “Oh, sorry, I forgot.” | forget to do sth: Someone's forgotten to turn off their headlights. | forget (that): I forgot that I was supposed to come in early this morning. | clean forget (=completely forget): He meant to invite Monica to the party but he clean forgot.

3 STOP THINKING ABOUT (I, T) to try to stop thinking and worrying about someone or something that makes you unhappy: Years after their divorce Olivia still could not forget John.

(+ about): I'd forget about it if I were you.

4 NOT CARE ABOUT (I, T) to not care about or give attention to someone or something

(+ about): Don't go off to college and forget about your old friends, okay?

5 STOP A PLAN (I, T) to stop trying to do something because it no longer seems possible

(+ about): We'll have to forget about going on holiday. | If we can't get any funding we might as well forget the whole thing.

6 not forgetting used to add something to a list of things: Bear in mind that we have to pay for all the packaging and transportation costs, not forgetting airport taxes.

7 forget yourself to do something stupid or embarrassing, especially by losing control of your emotions: Veronica was worried that she might forget herself and confess her true feelings for him.

8 don't forget

a) used to remind someone to do something: We need bread, milk, and eggs. Don't forget now, will you? | don't forget to do sth: Don't forget to lock the place up when you leave.

b) used to remind someone about an important fact or detail that they should consider: The kids won't be home until late, don't forget, so we'll be eating on our own. | don't forget (that): But don't forget you have to pay interest on the loan.

9 forget it

a) used when someone asks you what you just said and you do not want to repeat it: “What was that? I didn't hear.” “ Nothing, forget it.”

b) used to tell someone that something is not important and they do not need to worry about it: “I'm really sorry, I'll get you another one.” “Forget it, I've got lots of bowls.”

c) used to tell someone that you refuse to do something or that it will be impossible for them to do something: “Lend me $10.” “Forget it, no way.” | If you're thinking of getting Roy to help, you can forget it!

d) used to tell someone to stop asking or talking about something, because it is annoying you: Look, just forget it will you. I'm not coming and that's that.

10 I'll never forget used to say that you will always remember something from the past, because it was sad, funny, enjoyable etc: I'll never forget the look on his face when I said I'd marry him.

11 I forget used to say that you can not remember a particular detail about something you are talking about : I forget what/where/how etc: I forget what he said exactly, but it was very rude. | I forget the name/details etc: You go down Weir Road then turn left into, I forget the name of it, but it's first left after the bank.

12 forget that used to tell someone to ignore what you have just said because it is not correct, important etc: Then mix the flour with 500 cls of milk, no, forget that, 50 cls of milk.

13 and don't you forget it used to remind someone angrily about an important fact that should make them behave differently: Listen, I'm the boss around here, and don't you forget it!

14 aren't you forgetting...?/haven't you forgotten...? used to tell someone that they have forgotten to consider something important: “Wait a minute - aren't you forgetting something? No? Well what about saying `thank you'?”