remember

verb

re·​mem·​ber ri-ˈmem-bər 

remembered; remembering ri-ˈmem-b(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to bring to mind or think of again

remembers the old days

2

archaic

a

: bethink sense 1b

b

: remind

3

a

: to keep in mind for attention or consideration

remembers friends at Christmas

b

: reward

was remembered in the will

4

: to retain in the memory

remember the facts until the test is over

5

: to convey greetings from

remember me to her

6

: record, commemorate

intransitive verb

1

: to exercise or have the power of memory

2

: to have a recollection or remembrance

rememberability

ri-ˌmem-b(ə-)rə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

rememberable

ri-ˈmem-b(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective

rememberer

ri-ˈmem-bər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

• flash back (to)
• hark back (to)
• harken back (to)
• hearken back (to)
• mind [chiefly dialect]
• recall
• recollect
• reminisce (about)
• reproduce
• think (of)

Choose the Right Synonym for remember

remember, recollect, recall, remind, reminisce mean to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind.

remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.

remembers that day as though it were yesterday

recollect implies a bringing back to mind what is lost or scattered.

as near as I can recollect

recall suggests an effort to bring back to mind and often to re-create in speech.

can't recall the words of the song

remind suggests a jogging of one's memory by an association or similarity.

that reminds me of a story

reminisce implies a casual often nostalgic recalling of experiences long past and gone.

old college friends like to reminisce

Examples of remember in a Sentence

I remember my first day of school like it was yesterday.

Do you remember me? I used to work with you many years ago.

Remember when we went hiking last summer?

I remember telling him not to do it, but he did it anyway.

I remember what that felt like.

As far as I can remember, I've never been late to a meeting.

I couldn't remember how to spell her name.

I can't remember where I put that book.

I remembered that I had left my wallet at home.

What was it that I was going to ask him? I can't remember.

See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Prioritize Protein and Fiber While the sides might be everyone's favorite part of Thanksgiving, remembering to add some protein and fiber to your plate will go a long way in feeling full and satisfied after dinner. —Rebecca Jaspan, Mph, Rd, Health, 23 Nov. 2023

Last week, Orman Hines, who spent years participating in the first modern archaeological digs of the colony and helped found the nonprofit group to remember, gazed out at the shoreline where the Wabanaki canoes might have come ashore more than 400 years ago. —Alex Seitz-Wald, NBC News, 23 Nov. 2023

Wang remembers listening to the song for the first time. —Ken Armstrong, ProPublica, 22 Nov. 2023

And while few may remember the Emilio Estevez-starring thriller, the soundtrack to 1993’s Judgment Night remains a significant touchstone in the evolution of the rap-rock connection. —Ron Hart, SPIN, 22 Nov. 2023

Cast your vote in a viewer’s choice competition, but remember, no sampling. —Peter Marks, Washington Post, 22 Nov. 2023

But this book will ensure that the work of both Velma Murphy Hill and Norman Hill will be remembered. —Rayna Reid Rayford, Essence, 22 Nov. 2023

Chip Kelly rang the Victory Bell and looked about as buoyant as anyone could remember afterward. —J. Brady McCollough, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2023

But remember, although many liked that film despite its slightness, it was mostly met with mixed reviews (and mountains of cash). —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

Middle English remembren, from Anglo-French remembrer, from Late Latin rememorari, from Latin re- + Late Latin memorari to be mindful of, from Latin memor mindful — more at memory

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing remember

• for as long as one can remember
• remember me to
• a day to remember

• for as long as one can remember
• remember me to
• a day to remember

Kids Definition

remember

verb

re·​mem·​ber ri-ˈmem-bər 

remembered; remembering -b(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to bring to mind or think of again

remembers the old days

2

a

: to keep in mind for attention

remember friends at Christmas

b

: reward entry 1 sense 1

was remembered in the will

3

: to keep in the memory

remember the facts for the test

4

: to pass along greetings from

remember us to your family

rememberable

-b(ə-)rə-bəl 

adjective

rememberer

-bər-ər 

noun