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

Each reservation comes with a 32-ounce souvenir cup and cutting shears. — Melissa Oyler, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2026

The Village Shops For even more souvenirs, head to The Village Shops. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 July 2026

For the past decade, Heidi Vermilyea has been in charge of the parade souvenirs, selling hats, t-shirts, and Christmas tree ornaments out of a blue trailer. — Susan Bence, NPR, 4 July 2026

Find wall-to-wall tomes at Downtown Books; stop for a glass of wine at NouVines or a cup of coffee at Charis Coffee Company; and shop for unique souvenirs at Sisters Boutiques and Gifts or Nest. — Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 4 July 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