mnemonic

1 of 2

adjective

mne·​mon·​ic ni-ˈmä-nik 

1

: assisting or intended to assist memory

To distinguish "principal" from "principle" use the mnemonic aid "the principal is your pal."

also : of or relating to mnemonics

2

: of or relating to memory

mnemonic skill

mnemonically

ni-ˈmä-ni-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

mnemonic

2 of 2

noun

: a mnemonic device or code

Did you know?

Need a mnemonic device to remember how to spell mnemonic? Although the word’s pronunciation begins with an n sound, the spelling begins with an m, as in memory. There are very few English words that start this way (mnestic and mnioid are two others), and as with similar Latin and Greek borrowings such as pneumonia, we retained the double initial consonant but not the pronunciation. In addition to its adjectival use, mnemonic is also a noun used to refer to a mnemonic device, such as the famous—or infamous—spelling dictum “I before E, except after C,” which isn't consistently helpful (just ask your neighbor to weigh in on it).

Examples of mnemonic in a Sentence

Noun

HOMES is used as a mnemonic for the names of the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Once installed and opened, the apps open a phishing website or an in-app WebView, requesting the mnemonic phrases that can be used to empty the wallet. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025

If anyone has a clever mnemonic or other means of remembering the differences, please help your local outdoors reporter out! —Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025

Noun

Songbirds aren’t the only birds with helpful mnemonics. —JSTOR Daily, 10 Oct. 2025

Follow the 20-20-20 Rule The 20-20-20 rule is a mnemonic that eye care professionals use to help patients remember to practice good visual hygiene. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Greek mnēmonikos, from mnēmōn mindful, from mimnēskesthai to remember — more at mind

First Known Use

Adjective

1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1842, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mnemonic

• atonic
• benthonic
• bionic
• bosonic
• bubonic
• canonic
• carbonic
• cyclonic
• demonic
• dystonic
• hadronic
• harmonic

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Kids Definition

mnemonic

adjective

mne·​mon·​ic

ni-ˈmän-ik

: assisting or intended to assist memory

Medical Definition

mnemonic

1 of 2 adjective

mne·​mon·​ic ni-ˈmän-ik 

1

: assisting or intended to assist memory

also : of or relating to mnemonics

2

: of or relating to memory

mnemonically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

mnemonic

2 of 2 noun

: a mnemonic device or code