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What is the difference between remember and forget?

remember | forget | Antonyms |

Forget is a antonym of remember.



In intransitive terms the difference between remember and forget

is that remember is to engage in the process of recalling memories while forget is to cease remembering.

As verbs the difference between remember and forget

is that remember is to recall from one's memory; to have an image in one's memory while forget is to lose remembrance of.

remember

English

Alternative forms

* remembre (obsolete)

Verb

(en verb)
  • To recall from one's memory; to have an image in one's memory.
  • * {{quote-book, 1852, Mrs M.A. Thompson, chapter=The Tutor's Daughter, Graham's American Monthly Magazine of Literature, Art, and Fashion, page=266 citation
  • , passage=In the lightness of my heart I sang catches of songs as my horse gayly bore me along the well-remembered road.}}
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)
  • , chapter=6 citation , passage=‘[…] I remember a lady coming to inspect St. Mary's Home where I was brought up and seeing us all in our lovely Elizabethan uniforms we were so proud of, and bursting into tears all over us because “it was wicked to dress us like charity children”. […]’.}}
  • To memorize; to put something into memory.
  • To not forget (to do something required)
  • To convey greetings from.
  • (obsolete) To put in mind; to remind (also used reflexively)
  • * 1610 , , act 1 scene 2
  • Since thou dost give me pains, / Let me remember thee what thou hast promis'd, / Which is not yet perform'd me.
  • * Chapman
  • My friends remembered me of home.
  • * , Secret Parting, lines 5-7
  • ''But soon, remembering her how brief the whole
    ''Of joy, which its own hours annihilate,
    ''Her set gaze gathered
  • To engage in the process of recalling memories.
  • Usage notes

    * In sense 1 this is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing) . * In sense 3 this is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. * See

    Synonyms

    * recall * reminisce

    Derived terms

    * rememberer * remembrance

    See also

    * recollect * recollection * remind

    forget

    English

    Verb

  • To lose remembrance of.
  • I have forgotten most of the things I learned in school.
  • * 1922 , (Margery Williams), (The Velveteen Rabbit)
  • For at least two hours the Boy loved him, and then Aunts and Uncles came to dinner, and there was a great rustling of tissue paper and unwrapping of parcels, and in the excitement of looking at all the new presents the Velveteen Rabbit was forgotten .
  • To unintentionally not do, neglect.
  • I forgot to buy flowers for my wife at our 14th wedding anniversary.
  • To unintentionally leave something behind.
  • I forgot my car keys.
  • To cease remembering.
  • Let's just forget about it.
  • (slang) (euphemism for) fuck, screw (a mild oath).
  • Forget you!

    Usage notes

    * In sense 1 and 4 this is a catenative verb that takes the gerund (-ing) . * In sense 2 this is a catenative verb that takes the to infinitive. * See

    Synonyms

    * obliviate, overlook, pass over, disremember

    Antonyms

    * acquire, learn, mind, recall, recollect, remember, reminisce

    Derived terms

    * forget about * forgetful * forget-me-not * forget oneself * forgettable * forgetter * unforgettable

    References

    * *