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

After a brief history lesson on the region’s papermaking tradition—which dates back to the Middle Ages—pop into La Scuderia del Duca, whose vast selection of handmade paper feels like a museum in itself and makes for the perfect souvenir. — Lane Nieset, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026

Everyone also took the chance to line up for colorful sketches as a party souvenir, outfitted in their most vibrant Herrera dresses and jackets. — Aaron Royce, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2026

Bay Village supplies shops to stock up on boards and wetsuits as well as swimsuits, sunscreen, and souvenir T-shirts. — Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026

Edible souvenirs also beat handing your group chat another keychain. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 14 Sep. 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