forgetfulness
forgetfulness
Noun
This term describes a cognitive lapse or a chronic state of memory failure. It often carries a clinical or sympathetic tone when referring to aging or illness, but can shift toward a critical or judgmental tone when describing a lack of attention or negligence in a professional or social setting.
As an uncountable noun, it refers to the general quality of being forgetful. Because it cannot be pluralized or counted as individual units, speakers must use partitive constructions such as a bout of forgetfulness or a moment of forgetfulness to describe specific instances of memory loss.
Meanings
Examples
Forgetfulness is common.
Forgetfulness made him late again.
Historians debate whether the king's forgetfulness was intentional or pathological.
History
Related Words
oblivionabsent-mindednessamnesialapsemindfulnessremembrancerecollectionretentionawarenessmemoryforgetrecallmnemonicbraincognitiondementiaslipobliviousdistractionconcentrationattentionhippocampusneuronsynapsemindconsciousnessforgettableunforgettableremindernotediarycalendarlistagendaretrievalstorageencodingshort-termlong-termblackoutvoidblankvacancyscatterbrainedabsentnegligenceoversightomissioncarelessnessstuporlethargysenilityagingpsychologyneurologycognitivementalintellectperceptionrecognitionidentificationtraceechoghostshadowfadeerasedeletewipeblurhazefogconfusiondisorientation