American English

How to pronounce forgot

verbA1Very common word

forGAHT

/fɔɹˈgɑt̚/

2 syllables · Stress the second syllable.

Form of forget

Did not remember a person, thing, fact, or place.

What to listen for

In American English, “forgot” is commonly pronounced /fɚˈgɑt̚/, and some speakers use /fɔɹˈgɑt̚/. Both are correct.

Usual pronunciation/fɚˈgɑt̚/

Also heard/fɔɹˈgɑt̚/

past form

Did not remember a person, thing, fact, or place.

I forgot her name.

He forgot where he parked.

past form

Did not do something because the person did not remember to do it.

I forgot to call Mom.

We forgot to buy milk.

past form

Did not remember doing something or experiencing something that happened.

I forgot meeting him before.

She forgot saying those words.

Good to know

Use forgot for a completed past event. Use forgotten after have, has, or had.

past form

Left something somewhere because the person did not remember to take it along.

I forgot my keys at home.

She forgot her phone on the bus.

To stop thinking or worrying about something.

Try to forget about work tonight.

Used to say that something is not important or that you do not want to continue.

Forget it—we can talk tomorrow.

To stop being angry about something someone did and move on.

I apologized, and she decided to forgive and forget.

The past forms are forgot and forgotten, not forgetted; use forgotten after have, has, or had. The -ing form is forgetting, with two t's.