forget-me-not: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Literary, poetic, gardening, informal, sentimental
Quick answer
What does “forget-me-not” mean?
A small flowering plant of the genus Myosotis, typically having clusters of small, bright blue flowers.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A small flowering plant of the genus Myosotis, typically having clusters of small, bright blue flowers.
A symbol of remembrance, true and undying love, fidelity, or a connection that persists despite separation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or application. The common name is identical.
Connotations
Shared connotations of remembrance and sentimentality. It may be perceived as slightly old-fashioned or quaint in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in gardening, literary, and symbolic contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “forget-me-not” in a Sentence
plant [OBJECT: forget-me-nots]symbolise [OBJECT: remembrance] with forget-me-notsgive [RECIPIENT: someone] a forget-me-notVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forget-me-not” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She wore a forget-me-not blue dress.
American English
- The design had a forget-me-not motif.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in botanical texts and literary analysis concerning symbolism.
Everyday
Used in gardening contexts and as a symbolic gift or reference.
Technical
Used as the common name for plants in the genus Myosotis in horticulture and botany.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “forget-me-not”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forget-me-not”
- Spelling: 'forget-me-nots' (plural) often incorrectly written as 'forget-me-not's'.
- Using as a verb (e.g., 'I will forget-me-not you').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a hyphenated compound noun: 'forget-me-not'. The plural is 'forget-me-nots'.
No, it is exclusively a noun (and occasionally a modifier, e.g., 'forget-me-not blue'). You cannot 'forget-me-not' someone.
It is a symbol of remembrance, true love, fidelity, and a plea not to be forgotten, often associated with departed loved ones or separated partners.
While bright blue is the classic and most common colour, cultivars can also be found in pink, white, and yellow, though the blue variety carries the strongest traditional symbolism.
A small flowering plant of the genus Myosotis, typically having clusters of small, bright blue flowers.
Forget-me-not is usually literary, poetic, gardening, informal, sentimental in register.
Forget-me-not: in British English it is pronounced /fəˌɡet.miːˈnɒt/, and in American English it is pronounced /fɚˌɡet.miˈnɑːt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The plant's name is its own mnemonic: 'Forget me not' asks to be remembered.
Conceptual Metaphor
AFFECTION/REMEMBRANCE IS A FLOWER; MEMORIES ARE PLANTS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'forget-me-not' LEAST likely to be used?