How to pronounce forgotten
Say it like fer-GOT-un. Forgotten has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GOT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce forgotten. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- fer
- GOT
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Forgotten pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ferKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
- GOTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of forgotten
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: fuh-GOT-un.
What does forgotten mean?
- not noticed inadvertently“her aching muscles forgotten she danced all night”“he was scolded for his forgotten chores”
Where does forgotten come from?
From Middle English foryoten, from Old English forġeten, from Proto-West Germanic *fragetan.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with forgotten
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of forgotten.
Questions about saying forgotten
How do you pronounce forgotten?
Say fer-GOT-un. The American pronunciation is /fɚˈɡɑtən/. In British English it is /fəˈɡɒtən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in forgotten?
Forgotten has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (GOT). Broken into parts: fer · GOT · un.
Is forgotten 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 /fəˈɡɒtən/ (fuh-GOT-un).