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

Looking to shop for great souvenirs? —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026

The collection features apparel, accessories, pins, magnets, and other souvenirs inspired by Dallas’ role as a host city. —Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 June 2026

If someone was caught, and murdered, scraps of their body were circulated as souvenirs and passed down through generations of white families as heirlooms. —Literary Hub, 8 June 2026

In addition to the fabulous on-screen looks, the process allowed Mance to walk away with some unique photos of his own — a fitting souvenir for a show about a romance that unfolded through the glossy pages of tabloid magazines. —Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 8 June 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