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

• 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

Although you may be tempted to take a souvenir with you, taking any driftwood from the beach is prohibited. —Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 27 June 2025

Featuring her husband, Carter Reum, also 44, and their two children, 2-year-old son Phoenix and 19-month-old daughter London, the snaps featured them enjoying meals on their yacht, snorkeling and shopping for souvenirs. —Clare Fisher, People.com, 26 June 2025

Temple Street Night Market is a favorite for trinkets and souvenirs. —Taylor McIntyre, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2025

Experts say residents and travelers alike should take extra precautions to avoid these tiny, unwanted souvenirs. —Vanessa Countryman, USA Today, 21 June 2025

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