Most people have moments when a word they know simply will not come. Researchers call this a "tip-of-the-tongue" moment. You are sure you know the word, but you cannot say it. These moments become more frequent as we get older, as part of normal ageing.
Tiredness, poor sleep, stress, anxiety and low mood can all make words harder to find. So can the menopause and some medicines. These causes are common and often improve once the cause is dealt with.
Word-finding trouble that keeps getting worse over months is worth a GP appointment. Word-finding trouble that starts suddenly is different. It can be a sign of a stroke, and needs an ambulance straight away.
Get help now
Call 112 or 999 in Ireland, 999 in the UK or 911 in the US if you or someone else suddenly has:
Call even if the symptoms have stopped. The NHS says to call 999 if you have had signs of a stroke in the last 24 hours, even if they have gone. Do not drive yourself to the emergency department.
Ask for an urgent GP appointment (or contact NHS 111 in the UK) if:
See a GP if:
A tip-of-the-tongue moment is a temporary failure to produce a word you are certain you know. It is frustrating, but it is not a sign that the word has been lost.
A 2007 brain-imaging study of healthy adults aged 19 to 88 describes what is known about these moments:
The US National Institute on Aging (NIA) gives a simple comparison. Sometimes forgetting which word to use is part of normal ageing. Having trouble holding a conversation is a possible sign of dementia.
For other kinds of everyday forgetting, see our guide to memory worries and normal ageing.
The NHS lists insomnia among the common, treatable causes of memory problems. People with insomnia may find it difficult to concentrate during the day because they are tired. The NIA also lists sleep problems among the things that can affect memory.
The NHS names stress and anxiety as common causes of memory problems. Finding it hard to concentrate is one of the NHS symptoms of generalised anxiety disorder.
The NIA says big or stressful life events, such as retirement or bereavement, can leave people confused or forgetful. It says these problems are usually temporary and improve as the stress fades. If they last more than a few weeks, it advises talking to your doctor.
The NHS lists depression as a common, treatable cause of memory problems. Its list of depression symptoms includes speaking more slowly than usual and finding it difficult to make decisions.
The NIA says memory problems caused by conditions such as depression usually go away once the condition is treated. That is one reason to mention your mood to your GP, not just your words.
If you are having thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life, get help now. In Ireland, freephone Samaritans on 116 123 or text 50808. In the UK, call Samaritans on 116 123 or NHS 111 (mental health option). In the US, call or text 988. In an emergency, call 112 or 999 (Ireland), 999 (UK) or 911 (US).
The NHS and the HSE both list problems with memory or concentration, sometimes called brain fog, among the symptoms of menopause. The NHS says these symptoms may feel worse if you have sleep problems and feel very tired.
We explain what is thought to be happening in the brain during perimenopause separately.
The NHS and the NIA both list side effects of some medicines as a cause of memory problems.
The US prescribing information for topiramate, used for epilepsy and to prevent migraine, names "word-finding difficulties" specifically. We cover how everyday medicines can affect thinking separately.
Do not stop or change a prescribed medicine yourself. Bring a full list, including anything bought over the counter, to your GP or pharmacist.
An underactive thyroid. The NHS lists difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly among its symptoms. It is checked with a blood test.
Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. The NHS lists problems with memory, understanding and judgement among the symptoms. B12 deficiency can also cause numbness, pins and needles and problems with balance.
Migraine with aura. The NHS says some people get warning signs before a migraine attack, including difficulty speaking. Aura symptoms should not last longer than 1 hour. The NHS also says to call 999 if a migraine attack comes with problems speaking or remembering things. If speech problems are new for you, do not assume they are migraine.
Sudden confusion (delirium). The NHS says an infection or other illness can cause sudden confusion that affects memory.
Head injury. The NIA lists head injury, such as concussion, among the causes of memory problems. The NHS lists severe head injury as a cause of aphasia.
When language itself is affected, doctors call it aphasia. The NHS says aphasia can make it hard to speak, read, write and understand others. Stroke is its most common cause.
The NHS describes aphasia symptoms as:
Stroke symptoms usually start suddenly. The HSE says the FAST test picks up most strokes:
A transient ischaemic attack (TIA), or mini-stroke, causes the same symptoms but they pass. The NHS says they last a few minutes to a few hours and fully go within 24 hours. A TIA is a warning sign of a possible stroke. The NHS and HSE both say you should see a specialist within 24 hours.
Read the FAST signs and the main stroke risk factors in more detail.
The NHS lists "struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word" among the common early symptoms of dementia. Others include memory loss, difficulty concentrating, confusion about time and place, and mood changes.
The NHS says these early symptoms are often mild and may get worse only very gradually. Dementia is not a natural part of ageing, so see a GP sooner rather than later if you are worried.
Most dementias affect memory first. Frontotemporal dementia is different. The NHS says it is uncommon and causes problems with behaviour and language. Memory problems tend to come later. Most cases are diagnosed between the ages of 45 and 65.
The NHS describes its language problems as:
One form, called primary progressive aphasia, affects language first. Our article on frontotemporal dementia explains the different types.
This list is not a way to diagnose yourself. It shows why doctors ask about timing.
The NHS says a GP will ask about your symptoms and other parts of your health. They will ask if everyday tasks, such as cooking, shopping or paying bills, have become difficult.
It helps to bring someone who knows you well, to describe changes they have noticed.
Before the appointment, think about:
To rule out other causes, the NHS says the GP will examine you and may arrange blood and urine tests. You will usually be asked to do a short memory or thinking test. We explain which blood tests are commonly checked separately.
If other causes have been ruled out, the GP may refer you to a specialist. This could be an old-age psychiatrist, a geriatrician or a neurologist, sometimes in a memory clinic. The specialist may arrange a CT or MRI brain scan and more detailed tests.
If you have aphasia, the NHS says it is treated by a speech and language therapist.
The useful steps tackle the cause: protect your sleep, and tell your GP about lasting stress, low mood or menopause symptoms. Ask for a medicine review if the problem began after a new medicine. The NHS advises against trying to self-diagnose the cause of memory loss.
Tip-of-the-tongue moments happen to adults of all ages. They become more frequent with age. If they are getting more frequent alongside tiredness, stress or low mood, those are the first things to look at.
It can make thinking harder. The NHS lists anxiety as a common cause of memory problems, and difficulty concentrating as a symptom of generalised anxiety disorder.
It can be one early sign, but it has many other causes. The NHS says memory problems do not necessarily mean dementia. A GP can look for other causes first.
Yes, get it checked urgently, because a TIA can cause speech problems that pass. If it happened in the last 24 hours, call 112, 999 or 911. If it was longer ago, make an urgent GP appointment.
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot diagnose the cause of your symptoms. If speech problems start suddenly, call 112 or 999 (Ireland), 999 (UK) or 911 (US). Talk to your GP or pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any medicine.
Reviewed by: Proco Team
Last updated: November 2026