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

Guests get to keep their drawings, and those have become beloved free souvenirs for countless Disney fans around the world. —Robert Niles, Oc Register, 3 Mar. 2026

Tourist traps near smelters have even sold slag in little bags as souvenirs, much to the Environmental Protection Agency’s alarm. —Sarah Henry, AZCentral.com, 1 Mar. 2026

The Chic Boutique Hiding Inside Hotel Drover Speaking of custom, the ultimate souvenir awaits at the on-site boutique. —Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2026

Best Shopping Plaka At the base of the Acropolis, the Plaka neighborhood is packed with souvenir and specialty shops. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 26 Feb. 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