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

Lexi cardigan $350 Hunting Season The Square compact Overpacking or leaving room for souvenirs? — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 6 Nov. 2026

Guests can also stretch their skills at the Art Studio, where pros hold two-hour painting, printmaking, pottery, and silversmithing classes, a true highlight of any trip that ends with a handmade souvenir. — Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2026

After the show, Meloni and Eichner graciously took some pictures with fans, people queued to buy souvenir tote bags to stuff into their existing tote bags, and Klausner felt grateful. — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026

The town of Moab is just over 25 miles away and is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat, browse the boutiques for Utah souvenirs, or stop for a sweet treat. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 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