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.

Recent Examples on the Web

And if LaFleur’s Green Bay career ended today, he’d be best remembered as the guy who kicked a field goal when his team was down by eight in the final minutes of the 2020 NFC Championship Game. —Rob Reischel, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024

And remember — these are costumes, not just dresses. —Dave Quinn, People.com, 25 Oct. 2024

Meanwhile, remember that not all superheroes wear capes. —Stephanie Zacharek, TIME, 25 Oct. 2024

Active mainly in the early 20th century, he is best remembered now for challenging negative portrayals of African Americans in cinema by depicting genuine Black life and complex characters. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 25 Oct. 2024

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

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

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