unforgettable

IPA/ˌʌnfəˈɡetəbl/
KK[ˌʌnfɚɡˈɛtəbəl]IPA/ˌʌnfərˈɡetəbl/

unforgettable — adjective

  • unforgettablepositive
  • more unforgettablecomparative
  • most unforgettablesuperlative

1. so impressive, beautiful, or emotionally powerful that it stays in your memory f

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

so impressive, beautiful, or emotionally powerful that it stays in your memory for a long time

Example

The wedding feast that Diya's family prepared was absolutely unforgettable.

be + unforgettable with intensifier absolutely

Amihan said the view from the mountain top was an unforgettable sight.

attributive: unforgettable + noun

Common collocations
  • truly unforgettable
  • absolutely unforgettable
  • unforgettable experience
  • unforgettable moment
  • unforgettable memory
  • unforgettable trip
  • unforgettable sight
Synonyms
  • memorable

    similar but less intense; a memorable event is worth remembering, while an unforgettable one is impossible to forget

  • indelible

    more formal; literally means a mark that cannot be erased, often used with 'impression' or 'image'

  • haunting

    carries a slightly sad or eerie tone; a haunting memory is beautiful but also painful

Antonyms
  • forgettable

    the direct opposite; something easy to forget

  • unremarkable

    nothing special about it, not worth remembering

Usage Note

Typically describes positive experiences such as trips, celebrations, or performances, but it can also describe negative events that left a strong emotional mark (e.g., an unforgettable tragedy). Common intensifiers include absolutely and truly.

Common Mistakes

I unforgettable loved that movie.
I will never forget that movie
it was unforgettable.' — 'Unforgettable' is an adjective, not an adverb; use 'unforgettably' for adverbs instead.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All three words describe something that stays in your mind, but they differ in strength and tone. 'Memorable' is the most general and neutral — a memorable speech or party that you enjoyed. 'Unforgettable' is stronger, implying a deep emotional impact that actively resists being forgotten. 'Indelible' is more formal and literal; it originally meant a mark that cannot be erased, so it suits lasting impressions such as an indelible image or an indelible effect. 'Haunting' carries a slightly sad or eerie tone — a haunting melody or a haunting memory suggests something beautiful but also painful. If you simply enjoyed a film, say it was memorable, not unforgettable. If a scene stayed with you for years with emotional weight, unforgettable fits best.

memorable ↗indelible ↗haunting ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • for all the right reasons
  • in every way

Etymology

Old EnglishLatinFrenchEnglish

Formed from the prefix un- (meaning 'not'), the verb forget (from Old English forgietan, 'to lose memory of'), and the suffix -able (meaning 'able to be', from Latin -abilis via French). The word has been used in English since the early 1600s.