Definition

Noun: A condition characterized by an impaired ability to learn new information or to recall previously learned information or past experiences. It refers to the partial or complete forgetting of memories.

Usage

The term "memory loss" is used to describe a medical symptom or condition. It can be temporary or permanent and can range from mild forgetfulness to a severe inability to form new memories or access old ones. * The doctor evaluated the patient for possible causes of her memory loss. * A concussion can sometimes result in short-term memory loss. * The most common early symptom of the disease is progressive memory loss.

Advanced Usage

• "to suffer from memory loss": This is a common collocation describing the experience of having this condition.
  • After the accident, he suffered from significant memory loss regarding the event itself.

Variants and Related Words

• Amnesia (n): A clinical term often used synonymously with memory loss, especially for a loss caused by injury, shock, or illness.
  • The character had retrograde amnesia, a form of memory loss for events before the trauma.
• Forgetfulness (n): A milder, more general term for the tendency to forget things, not necessarily implying a medical condition.
• Cognitive impairment (n): A broader term that includes memory loss along with other difficulties in thinking, communication, and understanding.

Synonyms

• Amnesia
• Forgetfulness (in non-clinical contexts)
• Impaired memory

Antonyms

• Recall
• Recollection
• Retention

Related Phrases

• Short-term memory loss: Difficulty remembering new information for a brief period.
  • A side effect of the medication can be short-term memory loss.
• Long-term memory loss: Inability to recall information or events from the distant past.
• Age-related memory loss: The mild decline in memory that can be a typical part of aging.

Noun

1. partial or total loss of memory
   • he has a total blackout for events of the evening