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 café-bar is a pleasant enough hangout with slate-gray walls punched with color, shelves of artsy souvenirs, and design magazines worth browsing, but the surrounding streets are stacked with great dining options. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2026

The museum shop carries books by Icelandic photographers, as well as photo postcards, many with historic scenes from around the country that make tiny but distinctive souvenirs. — Carolyn Heller, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

That is a lot of money for a souvenir, even one too large to fit inside most homes. — Naomi Jeffries, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2026

As for a souvenir to take home, try the colorful Basotho blanket, which comes in vibrant colors and patterns that also pop up in local garments and are creatively integrated into various skiing jackets and gear. — ABC News, 21 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