What does "lethe" mean?
Forgetfulness of the past; oblivion.
Lethe
/ˈliːθi/ name, noun
name, noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Forgetfulness of the past; oblivion.
- Grammar: lethe is listed as name, noun.
- Nearest alternatives: absentmindedness, amnesia, forgetfulness, forgiveness.
- Useful contrasts: memory, recall, recollection.
- Usage evidence: No wonder these mortal Folks have so many Complaints, […] if they were dead now, and to be settled here for ever, they'd be damn'd before they'd make such a Rout come over—“But care, I suppose, is thirsty; and till they have drench’d themselves with Lethe, there will be no quiet among ’em” however, I’ll e’en to work; and so, friend Æsop, and brother Mercury, good bye to ye.
How to use "lethe"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "lethe" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "lethe" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "lethe" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "lethe" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "lethe" is acting as name, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "absentmindedness" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "lethe", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Forgetfulness of the past; oblivion. uncountable, usually
"So in the Lethe of thy angry ſoule, Thou drowne the ſad remembrance of thoſe wrongs, Which thou ſuppoſest I haue done to thee."
- 2 Death. obsolete, rare, uncountable, usually
"Pardon me Iulius, here was't thou bay'd braue Hart, Heere did'ſt thou fall, and heere thy Hunters ſtand Sign'd in thy Spoyle, and Crimſon'd in thy Lethee."
- 3 Dissimulation. uncountable, usually
"Till that the conquering Wine hath ſteep't our ſenſe, In ſoft and delicate Lethe."
Proper Noun
- 1 The personification of oblivion, daughter of Eris. Greek
- 2 The river which flows through Hades from which the souls of the dead drank so that they would forget their time on Earth. Greek
"No wonder these mortal Folks have so many Complaints, […] if they were dead now, and to be settled here for ever, they'd be damn'd before they'd make such a Rout come over—“But care, I suppose, is thirsty; and till they have drench’d themselves with Lethe, there will be no quiet among ’em” however, I’ll e’en to work; and so, friend Æsop, and brother Mercury, good bye to ye."
Antonyms
Example
"No wonder these mortal Folks have so many Complaints, […] if they were dead now, and to be settled here for ever, they'd be damn'd before they'd make such a Rout come over—“But care, I suppose, is thirsty; and till they have drench’d themselves with Lethe, there will be no quiet among ’em” however, I’ll e’en to work; and so, friend Æsop, and brother Mercury, good bye to ye."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "lethe"?
Common synonyms include: absentmindedness, amnesia, forgetfulness, forgiveness, nirvana, obliteration.
How do you use "lethe" in a sentence?
No wonder these mortal Folks have so many Complaints, […] if they were dead now, and to be settled here for ever, they'd be damn'd before they'd make such a Rout come over—“But care, I suppose, is thirsty; and till they have drench’d themselves with Lethe, there will be no quiet among ’em” however, I’ll e’en to work; and so, friend Æsop, and brother Mercury, good bye to ye.
How do you pronounce "lethe"?
Pronounced /ˈliːθi/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Latin Lēthē, from Ancient Greek Λήθη (Lḗthē).
Etymology 2
From Latin Lēthē, from Ancient Greek Λήθη (Lḗthē, “forgetfulness”).
Etymology 3
Possibly influenced by Latin lētum (“killing”).