disremember: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowInformal, Dialectal
Quick answer
What does “disremember” mean?
To fail to remember.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To fail to remember; to forget.
To deliberately put something out of one's mind or to cease to recall something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the word is virtually unknown and considered obsolete/non-standard. In American English, it is primarily associated with Southern, Midland, and Appalachian dialects.
Connotations
Conveys a folksy, rustic, or old-fashioned tone. It is often used to deliberately evoke a specific regional identity or a sense of the past.
Frequency
Extremely rare in formal writing. Most common in regional speech in the U.S. and occasionally in historical or character dialogue in fiction.
Grammar
How to Use “disremember” in a Sentence
[Subject] disremembers [Object][Subject] disremembers [Clause][Subject] disremembers [Prepositional Phrase, e.g., *about* the event]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disremember” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I disremember hearing that tale before.
- He disremembered to lock the door.
American English
- Grandpa would say he disremembered the exact date of the fair.
- I disremember where I put the keys.
adverb
British English
- [Not used]
American English
- [Not used]
adjective
British English
- [Not used]
American English
- [Not used]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used; considered non-standard.
Everyday
Only in specific regional dialects; otherwise, 'forget' is universal.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disremember”
- Using it in formal contexts. Incorrectly using it as 'не помню' in non-dialectal English where 'I don't remember' is standard.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a legitimate word, but it is considered non-standard, dialectal, or archaic. It is not used in formal or standard English.
It is most commonly associated with Southern U.S. English, Appalachian English, and some varieties of Irish English.
Essentially yes, but it often carries a stronger connotation of deliberate forgetting or a permanent lapse, and always carries a marked regional/dialectal tone.
Only at advanced levels (C1/C2) for the purpose of understanding regional dialects in literature or film. For active use, 'forget' is the only standard, universally accepted choice.
To fail to remember.
Disremember is usually informal, dialectal in register.
Disremember: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪsrɪˈmɛmbə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪsrɪˈmɛmbər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not commonly used in idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'DIS'-connect + 'REMEMBER' = to disconnect from remembering.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEMORY IS A CONTAINER (to disremember is to lose an item from the container) or MEMORY IS A FILM (to disremember is to have the film break).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'disremember' MOST appropriate?