forgat: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Extremely LowArchaic/Dialectal/Poetic
Quick answer
What does “forgat” mean?
Archaic or dialectal past tense of 'forget'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Archaic or dialectal past tense of 'forget'.
To have failed to remember something; to have omitted to do something through a lapse of memory; to have left something behind unintentionally. It can also imply a conscious or unconscious letting go of a memory or grievance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In modern standard English, both varieties use 'forgot'. 'Forgat' is an archaism/dialectism and is not standard in either variety today. Its historical use was more common in British English texts.
Connotations
Evokes a bygone era, rural life, or a literary/poetic style. Its use in modern speech would be perceived as highly affected, humorous, or a deliberate archaism.
Frequency
Effectively zero in contemporary standard usage. It may be encountered marginally more in the UK in regional dialects, but it is vanishingly rare.
Grammar
How to Use “forgat” in a Sentence
NP __ NP (He forgat his promise)NP __ that-clause (She forgat that she had agreed)NP __ to-inf (They forgat to lock the door)NP __ about NP (I forgat about the meeting)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forgat” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The old shepherd forgat the count of his sheep.
- In his haste, he forgat his manners entirely.
- She soon forgat the slights of her youth.
American English
- The pioneer, weary from the trail, forgat his earlier fears.
- He forgat to water the plants before leaving town.
- They forgat the old treaty after a generation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or when quoting archaic texts.
Everyday
Not used in standard modern conversation.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “forgat”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “forgat”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forgat”
- Using 'forgat' in modern writing or speech expecting it to be standard.
- Confusing it with 'forgave' (past tense of forgive).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is an archaic or dialectal past tense form of 'forget'. It is not used in modern standard English.
Always use 'forgot' in contemporary writing and speech unless you are deliberately aiming for an archaic or dialectal effect.
In works of English literature from the 17th-19th centuries (e.g., the King James Bible, older poetry), in representations of certain regional dialects, or in modern works trying to mimic that older style.
It is pronounced similarly to 'forgot' but with an 'a' as in 'cat': /fərˈɡæt/ in General American, /fəˈɡæt/ in British Received Pronunciation.
Archaic or dialectal past tense of 'forget'.
Forgat is usually archaic/dialectal/poetic in register.
Forgat: in British English it is pronounced /fəˈɡæt/, and in American English it is pronounced /fərˈɡæt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Forgat himself (behaved improperly, lost self-control)”
- “Forgive and forget (though 'forgat' would not be used in the modern idiom)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'FOR' a GAT (slang for gun), I FORGAT where I put it. (Links the old form 'forgat' to the modern meaning 'forgot' via a silly image.)
Conceptual Metaphor
MEMORY IS A CONTAINER (the memory is lost from it); FORGETTING IS LOSING (an object).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'forgat' be most appropriate?