souvenir

noun

sou·​ve·​nir ˈsü-və-ˌnir 

ˌsü-və-ˈnir

: something kept as a reminder (as of a place one has visited)

a souvenir of her travels

a souvenir shop

Synonyms of souvenir

• reminder
• memorial

Examples of souvenir in a Sentence

When I went to the Super Bowl, I kept my ticket stub as a souvenir.

kept their love letters as souvenirs of their courtship

Recent Examples on the Web

The water-resistant jacket is ultralight to keep you warm and is also thin enough to pack into a suitcase full of souvenirs—definitely a travel-friendly coat that’s worth every penny. —Michelle Tchea, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026

Add personal items like family photos, travel souvenirs, or a collection of books to bring character to the room. —Anyssa Roberts, The Spruce, 12 Jan. 2026

In addition to mixing florals and stripes, interesting objects like brass animals, souvenirs, and paperweights are now acting as eye candy on every surface. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2026

At a select few design-forward stays, however, the concept of the souvenir has been quietly expanding to include everything from sofas to sculptures. —Stephanie Gavan, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, act of remembering, from Middle French, from (se) souvenir to remember, from Latin subvenire to come up, come to mind — more at subvention

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing souvenir

• souvenir sheet
• souvenir shop

Rhymes for souvenir

• auctioneer
• bandelier
• belvedere
• bombardier
• brigadier
• buccaneer
• cavalier
• chandelier
• chanticleer
• chevalier
• commandeer
• disappear

Kids Definition

souvenir

noun

sou·​ve·​nir ˈsü-və-ˌni(ə)r 

ˌsü-və-ˈni(ə)r

: something that serves as a reminder : memento