Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lacking the ability to retain: "irretentive" describes a person, mind, or memory that is unable to hold or keep information, impressions, or substances. It is the opposite of "retentive."

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • His irretentive memory made it difficult for him to study for exams. (His memory could not retain information.)
  • The irretentive soil allowed water to drain away quickly. (The soil could not hold water.)
  • She found her irretentive mind frustrating when learning new languages. (Her mind could not retain new vocabulary.)

Advanced Usage

• "irretentive of": followed by a noun to specify what is not retained.
  • He was irretentive of names and faces. (He could not remember people's names or appearances.)
• "irretentive memory": a specific phrase used to describe a memory that fails to hold information.
  • The patient's irretentive memory was a symptom of his condition. (His memory could not retain new information.)

Variants and Related Words

• Irretention (noun): the quality or state of being irretentive.
  • The irretention of the sponge made it useless for cleaning. (The sponge could not hold water.)
• Irretentively (adverb): in a manner that lacks retention.
  • He listened irretentively, forgetting everything within minutes. (He listened without retaining the information.)

Synonyms

• Forgetful: tending to forget things easily.
• Nonretentive: not able to retain or hold.
• Leaky: (informal) allowing substances or information to escape.

Antonyms

• Retentive: able to hold or retain.
• Tenacious: holding firmly; persistent in memory.

Related Idioms

• A sieve-like memory: a memory that does not hold information, similar to a sieve that lets water through.
  • He has a sieve-like memory; everything goes in one ear and out the other. (He is irretentive.)

Phrasal Verbs

• None directly applicable, as "irretentive" is an adjective and does not form phrasal verbs. However, related verbs include "let slip" or "forget."