How to pronounce forgetful
Say it like for-GHET-ful. Forgetful has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GHET).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce forgetful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- for
- GHET
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Forgetful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- forKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- GHETSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of forgetful
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: faw-GHET-ful.
What does forgetful mean?
- Unable to remember things well; liable to forget.
- Dropping some of the input's structure or properties before producing an output.“a forgetful mapping; a forgetful functor”
Where does forgetful come from?
From Middle English *forgetful, *forȝetful (suggested by derivative forgetfulnesse, forȝetfulnesse (“forgetfulness”)), equivalent to forget + -ful.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with forgetful
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of forgetful.
Questions about saying forgetful
How do you pronounce forgetful?
Say for-GHET-ful. The American pronunciation is /fɔrˈɡɛtfəl/. In British English it is /fɔːˈɡɛtfəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in forgetful?
Forgetful has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GHET). Broken into parts: for · GHET · ful.
Is forgetful pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /fɔːˈɡɛtfəl/ (faw-GHET-ful).