forgotten
High (B1)Neutral - used across formal, informal, written, and spoken contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Past participle of 'forget', meaning no longer remembered, having passed from memory or awareness.
Can describe something neglected, overlooked, or left behind, either physically or figuratively. Also used to refer to people or groups who are ignored by society or mainstream culture.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While primarily the past participle of 'forget', it functions as a standalone adjective (e.g., a forgotten hero). It often carries a passive sense—something is forgotten by someone or by time.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Minor potential differences in collocational frequency.
Connotations
Identical connotations of neglect, loss, or being left behind.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Someone] has forgotten [something].[Something] was forgotten.[Something] lay forgotten in [a place].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “forgotten man/woman”
- “a blessing in disguise, soon forgotten”
- “lay forgotten”
- “consigned to the forgotten pile”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Risks associated with forgotten passwords or legacy systems.
Academic
Referring to historical figures or theories that fell out of scholarly discourse.
Everyday
Forgetting keys, appointments, or someone's name.
Technical
In computing: 'forgotten password' reset flow; in psychology: theories of repressed or forgotten memories.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I haven't forgotten my promise.
- She'd forgotten to lock the door again.
American English
- I'd completely forgotten about the meeting.
- Have you forgotten how to get there?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have forgotten my homework.
- She has forgotten his name.
- The old castle was forgotten for centuries.
- I'd forgotten how beautiful this place is.
- The contributions of these scientists have been largely forgotten.
- It was a minor scandal, soon forgotten by the public.
- The novel explores the forgotten narratives of the wartime generation.
- A once-celebrated theory now lies forgotten in academic archives.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FOR-GOT-TEN: Imagine you 'FOR' a meeting because you 'GOT' 'TEN' urgent calls, and so you completely forgot about it.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEMORY IS A STORAGE CONTAINER (something fell out of it). THE PAST IS A PLACE (something was left behind there).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from Russian "забытый" when it means 'left behind' physically (use 'left' instead).
- Remember that 'forgotten' is the participle/adjective; the verb form for present actions is 'forget/forgets/forgetting'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'forgot' as an adjective (e.g., 'the forgot book' is wrong; use 'forgotten book').
- Confusing 'forgotten' with 'forgave' (past tense of forgive).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'forgotten' correctly as an adjective?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is most commonly the past participle of 'forget' used in perfect tenses and the passive voice, but it also functions perfectly as an adjective (e.g., a forgotten land).
'Forgot' is the simple past tense (I forgot yesterday). 'Forgotten' is the past participle, used with have/has/had (I have forgotten) or as an adjective (the forgotten key).
Not as a main verb. The present tense is 'forget/forgets'. However, the adjective 'forgotten' can describe something in the present (e.g., This is a forgotten issue).
It is very rare and poetic. 'Remembered' or 'not forgotten' are the standard, natural antonyms.