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

Don’t bring a cough home as a souvenir. —Vanessa Franko, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026

Beyond buying thoughtful souvenirs to bring home, there’s always the chance that articles of clothing may catch my eye while shopping. —Isis Briones, Travel + Leisure, 22 Apr. 2026

The Duchess of Sussex also shared glimpses of Australian souvenirs and treats that appeared to be for their kids, including the popular Australian sweet treat Tim Tams, candies, picture books and handwritten cards. —Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026

Think quaint cafes, colorful shops, and uninterrupted views with hardly a high-rise condo or $5 souvenir sign in sight. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 20 Apr. 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